INFLUENZA AND INFLUENZA VACCINE

Influenza each year causes tremendous amounts of school absence among
older children and serious illness among preschool children. Symptoms during influenza may include headache, stomach ache, fever, vomiting, and cough, and complete recovery from them may take weeks or months. Influenza may also lead to pneumonia,ear infection , and other complications, and it may make a child more susceptible to illness long after the influenza itself seems to have disappeared. Influenza is particularly troublesome for those who have serious allergies or other chronic diseases.

Recommend influenza vaccine for children with a past history of repeated
pneumonia, asthma, or frequent ear infections. Any child who has diabetes, congenital heart disease, or chronic lung disease should have influenza vaccine. Others living in the same household with these high risk children should also receive influenza vaccine.
Children who are generally more healthy may be given influenza vaccine to reduce the
risk of illness and school absence during the flu season. Influenza vaccine may be
expected to decrease the likelihood of getting influenza, or make it less severe with complications less likely.

Reactions to influenza vaccine are generally mild, but some swelling and
soreness at the site of injection and mild fever and muscular pains may sometimes
occur. Those who have developed hives, swelling of the tongue, or other severe
reactions after eating eggs should not be given influenza vaccine.

Children 6 months through 8 years of age, if they have not had previous
influenza vaccine, are best protected with two doses of influenza vaccine given a month or more apart. Others receive a single dose. Influenza vaccine is not recommended under 6 months of age. It may be given at the same time as other immunizations.

Influenza vaccine should be scheduled in September, October, or November,
and the second dose, if recommended, should be given before December. Influenza
vaccine needs to be given each year, since protection does not last from flu shots or illness the previous years. Now a new alternative nasal influenza vaccine is available, known as FluMist. FluMist is currently available for children age 5 and older and adults under age 50 who do not have underlying chronic disease. Children and adults with chronic respiratory disease must still receive the traditional injectable influenza vaccine.

In addition to prevention, Influenza can be treated with a highly effective antiviral drug known as Tamiflu (oseltamivir). The earlier influenza is diagnosed the more effective Tamiflu is at relieving symptoms. If you think your child may have the flu have your child see your doctor early so they might benefit from this medication. Waiting in this case will render the drug less effective and the child will progress through a full course of the disease undeterred.

Acupressure

Acupressure is an ancient healing art that uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and the body's life force to aid healing. Acupuncture and acupressure use the same points, but acupuncture employs needles, while acupressure uses the gentle but firm pressure of hands (and even feet). There is a massive amount of scientific data that demonstrates why and how acupuncture is effective. But acupressure, the older of the two traditions, was neglected after the Chinese developed more technological methods for stimulating points with needles and electricity. Acupressure, however, continues to be the most effective method for self-treatment of tension-related ailments by using the power and sensitivity of the human hand.

Foremost among the advantages of acupressure's healing touch is that it is safe to do on yourself and others - even if you've never done it before - so long as you follow the instructions and pay attention to the cautions. There are no side effects from drugs, because there are no drugs. And the only equipment needed are your own two hands. You can practice acupressure therapy any time, anywhere.
Acupressure can be effective in helping relieve headaches, eyestrain, sinus problems, neck pain, backaches, arthritis, muscle aches, and tension due to stress. Also shown hundreds of acupressure students, patients, and friends how to use acupressure to relieve ulcer pain, menstrual cramps, lower back aches, constipation, and indigestion. You can also use self-acupressure to relieve anxiety and to help you get to sleep at night.

There are also great advantages to using acupressure as a way to balance the body and maintain good health. The healing touch of acupressure reduces tension, increases circulation, and enables the body to relax deeply. By relieving stress, acupressure strengthens resistance to disease and promotes wellness.
In acupressure, local symptoms are considered an expression of the condition of the body as a whole. A tension headache, for instance, may be rooted in the shoulder and neck area. Thus acupressure focuses on relieving pain and discomfort as well as on responding to tension before it develops into a "dis-ease" that is, before the constrictions and imbalances can do further damage. By using a combination of self-help methods such as trigger point stimulation, deep breathing, range-of-motion exercises, and relaxation techniques, you can improve your condition as well as feel more alive, healthy, and in harmony with your life.