I’ve been sick for the past few days and I really hate it. Everytime I have colds I easily get irritated (who doesn’t?), so what more with your little one? I know that everytime your child gets sick, you get so paranoid. Initial reaction would be bringing her to the hospital and going to your pediatrician. But the next time your child encounters a minor ache or injury, home remedies are often the best way to make her feel better. I love home remedies because basically you spend less and you can find all these smart solutions throughout your house.

• Sore throat – According to Lane Johnson, MD, associate professor of clinical family and community medicine at the University of Arizona college, a spoonful of Honey eased your child’s cough. Actually they found out that it’s better than a cough medicine. This home remedy is not applicable for babies under 1 year.
• Bug bites – You can use baking soda to lessen the itchy feeling that your child is complaining about. Just mix baking soda and enough water to make a thick paste and smear it on the bites and let it dry.
• Stress – Oh yes, your child can feel stress too! So for her to be able to relax and breathe properly, allow her to slowly, blow long bubbles from a soapy wand.
• Tummy problems (Vomiting)-  Ginger stops the stomach contractions. Boil the ginger and then let it steep for 4 to 5 minutes. You can add honey to make it taste better. Let your child drink it 1 hour before your car trip.
• Minor Swelling – You can use a cold slice of cucumber to soothe hot swollen skin.You can use this if there’s a minor swelling only other than that, go to your pediatrician.

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I promised I’d keep everyone informed on this, so I wanted to check in.  I’m sure you’ve heard by now that the World Health Organization has upgraded the alert status for H1N1 Influenza to 5 (out of 6).  What that means is that H1N1, which we call Swine Flu, is in danger of becoming a pandemic.  A pandemic is a disease which spreads to many or most countries on the globe. 

I said it before and I’ll say it again.  Do not panic.  The numbers of those who’ve fallen ill from this are extremely low, even if it has spread beyond the borders of Mexico into several other countries.  Yes, it should be taken seriously, but a lot of the fear we feel is manufactured by the media; don’t let the constant repetition ratchet up your anxiety level. 

H1N1 is comparable to any other type of flu that humans can get; the big difference is that we haven’t built up much of an immunity to this particular strain.  However, it presents like any other flu and is treated like any other flu. 

Here’s what the CDC says the symptoms of Swine Flu are:

The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. 

Just like regular flu, right?  Of course, regular flu is no walk in the park, and the same people who are most at risk for that illness are at risk for this one, namely, the elderly, small children, and those whose health is already compromised. 

Just remember, wash your hands and make your kids wash their hands often, and if anyone in the family exhibits any of those symptoms, they should stay home.  Don’t risk going to work or school if you’re feeling bad. 

And remember, again…this is not a pandemic and we can help prevent it.  Don’t panic.

Image from cnbc.com