Catching a cold...

• By katrhi
• Reply 3766863
• February 2, 2013 at 1:59 pm
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After I wipe down counters, I use clorox wipes. I see people going out with masks and gloves, but I haven't gone that far. However, I do wear a mask when my grandchildren come over (if they are sick). However, I should do it every time they come over. I would stress that everyone in your family wash their hands a bunch! You would be surprise how many people (especially male) do not wash hands after using the rest room. Check the stats on that; it is ridiculously high. I also would have them wipe down phones and computers all the time. Anything that is hands on--is free range for germs. And most of all, stay out of closed areas with many people (like elevators). Stay away from the ill who may be carrying germs. Good luck, Kat

• By cards7up
• Reply 3766864
• February 2, 2013 at 1:59 pm
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I have a cold right now. There are things that are unavoidable, especially if any of your three teens brings it home. Take care of your immune system and you should be alright. Do you take any vitamins? I take a multi-vitamin and B12 and add extra Vit C in the cold weather. Take care, Judy

• By katrhi
• Reply 3766866
• February 2, 2013 at 2:00 pm
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And good luck with that Stage IV lung cancer. Let us know how you are getting along from time-to-time.

• By Ex-Rocker
• Reply 3766903
• February 2, 2013 at 2:13 pm
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Also, the usual low-tech precautions apply: lots of hand washing, avoid touching your face, and make sure people know you're potentially at risk so they can keep it in mind to tell you when they might be harboring something.

• By Lil32012
• Reply 3767049
• February 2, 2013 at 3:09 pm
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Hi Haystermom,
I was diagnosed nsclc stage IV in March 2012, too. Just finished the second line chemo.
Right now there is a real flu season here (I am living in Finland). Ex-rocker made a good list for avoiding flu. I try to limit occasions being with huge crowds. And, I put emphasize on healthy nutrition to get all vitamins, etc.

• By Attootsie
• Reply 3767312
• February 2, 2013 at 4:48 pm
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I know this sounds silly but it works! I read where cutting a large onion and place it around the house. It's suppose to obsorbe the bacteria and germs in your house. I throw it away wen wilted and place a new one out! Did this last winter and spring when my White count was very low and neither my husband and I got sick at all! When we're outside the house we try not to touch our hands to our face and use antiseptic gel a lot. Washing hands when possible! It works!

• By Attootsie
• Reply 3767344
• February 2, 2013 at 4:58 pm
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Have a friend who was sick every winter with colds and flu - the last two winters she has cut an onion and put in her bedroom - never had a cold or flu - was it coincidence or the onion?  She said the onion smell does not linger in the room.????
I googled Snopes and it seems to be some truth in this.
ONIONS!
PLEASE READ TO THE END: IMPORTANT

In 1919 when the flu killed 40 million people there was this Doctor that visited the many farmers to see if he could help them combat the flu...
Many of the farmers and their families had contracted it and many died.

The doctor came upon this one farmer and to his surprise, everyone was very healthy. When the doctor asked what the farmer was doing that was different the wife replied that she had placed an unpeeled onion in a dish in the rooms of the home, (probably only two rooms back then). The doctor couldn't believe it and asked if he could have one of the onions and place it under the microscope. She gave him one and when he did this, he did find the flu virus in the onion. It obviously absorbed the bacteria, therefore, keeping the family healthy.

Now, I heard this story from my hairdresser. She said that several years ago, many of her employees were coming down with the flu, and so were many of her customers. The next year she placed several bowls with onions around in her shop. To her surprise, none of her staff got sick. It must work. Try it and see what happens. We did it last year and we never got the flu.

Now there is a P. S. to this for I sent it to a friend in Oregon who regularly contributes material to me on health issues. She replied with this most interesting experience about onions:

Thanks for the reminder. I don't know about the farmer's story...but, I do know that I contacted pneumonia, and, needless to say, I was very ill... I came across an article that said to cut both ends off an onion put it into an empty jar, and place the jar next to the sick patient at night. It said the onion would be black in the morning from the germs...sure enough it happened just like that...the onion was a mess and I began to feel better.

Another thing I read in the article was that onions and garlic placed around the room saved many from the black plague years ago. They have powerful antibacterial, antiseptic properties.

This is the other note. Lots of times when we have stomach problems we don't know what to blame. Maybe it's the onions that are to blame. Onions absorb bacteria is the reason they are so good at preventing us from getting colds and flu and is the very reason we shouldn't eat an onion that has been sitting for a time after it has been cut open.

LEFT OVER ONIONS ARE POISONOUS

I had the wonderful privilege of touring Mullins Food Products, Makers of mayonnaise. Questions about food poisoning came up, and I wanted to share what I learned from a chemist.

Ed, who was our tour guide, is a food chemistry whiz. During the tour, someone asked if we really needed to worry about mayonnaise. People are always worried that mayonnaise will spoil. Ed's answer will surprise you. Ed said that all commercially-made mayo is completely safe.

"It doesn't even have to be refrigerated. No harm in refrigerating it, but it's not really necessary." He explained that the pH in mayonnaise is set at a point that bacteria could not survive in that environment. He then talked about the summer picnic, with the bowl of potato salad sitting on the table, and how everyone blames the mayonnaise when someone gets sick.

Ed says that, when food poisoning is reported, the first thing the officials look for is when the 'victim' last ate ONIONS and where those onions came from (in the potato salad?). Ed says it's not the mayonnaise (as long as it's not homemade mayo) that spoils in the outdoors. It's probably the ONIONS, and if not the onions, it's the POTATOES.

He explained onions are a huge magnet for bacteria, especially uncooked onions. You should never plan to keep a portion of a sliced onion.. He says it's not even safe if you put it in a zip-lock bag and put it in your refrigerator.

It's already contaminated enough just by being cut open and out for a bit, that it can be a danger to you (and doubly watch out for those onions you put in your hotdogs at the baseball park!). Ed says if you take the leftover onion and cook it like crazy you'll probably be okay, but if you slice that leftover onion and put on your sandwich, you're asking for trouble. Both the onions and the moist potato in a potato salad, will attract and grow bacteria faster than any commercial mayonnaise will even begin to break down.

Also, dogs should never eat onions. Their stomachs cannot metabolize onions.

Please remember it is dangerous to cut an onion and try to use it to cook the next day, it becomes highly poisonous for even a single night and creates toxic bacteria which may cause adverse stomach infections because of excess bile secretions and even food.

• By leykon
• Reply 3768097
• February 2, 2013 at 10:21 pm
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I have also heaed of using onions.

• By haystermom
• Reply 3768390
• February 3, 2013 at 1:31 am
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Sound advice...thank you all for replying. I especially like the idea of an onion taking away germs. Think I will try it until hubby or kids complain. This is a friendly place to be with questions as I see alot of caring and helpful advice being shared. Looks like people are able to relate and become friends as well. Thanks again.

• By costello782
• Reply 3768689
• February 3, 2013 at 8:20 am
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I placed an onion in our room and our baby's room a few weeks ago when my husband and baby came down with colds. Within 2 days both of their colds are gone. I am a believer....Hope you are feeling better soon.