Has The Flu Got You Scared?

Lots of people are scared of the flu this season. Me included. I know when the time comes, I'll be in line for my flu shot or shots, I should now say.
But this H1N1 flu stuff has a lot of people more scared than they normally are. And because of that, we here at the library are trying to help the public in any way we can.
In the long white hallway we have a wall display giving our patrons information about the H1N1 flu. I'm sure you've heard all this before, on the television, in magazines, and maybe even in your doctor's office. But it's important enough to say again.
The symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
So, what can you do to help yourself? Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially right after you cough or sneeze. Drink lots of fluids and eat food that's good for you. Avoid people who are sick, and try to stay calm.
One thing a doctor on Good Morning America said was, "Don't touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with your hands, because that's the best way to transmit germs." Keep that in mind.
When do you need to call for a doctor's appointment? When you have these symptoms.
And what will the doctor do? Well, he'll test you to be sure you have Influenza A (H1N1), and then treat you with anti-virals to help you get better fast. However, it would greatly benefit you to get those flu shots when offered.
I think one of the scariest things I've read is that you can make other people sick from one day before you have any symptoms to seven or more days after you feel sick. Just think how many people you could infect without even knowing it!
OK. So what are we here at the library doing to help curb this infection?
Our janitor goes around all day long disinfecting all the main "hand" areas. That means with a disinfectant-cleaner-deodorant he is wiping down all the entry doors, water fountains, restrooms, counter tops, computers (keyboards and monitors), walls, tables, showcases, windows - you get the idea. He even sprays a special disinfectant throughout the library.
And today I saw our shelver in the Children's Library taking books off the shelves and wiping them down. That's a job and a half.
We're hoping that between the two of us, you and us, we'll be able to help prevent the H1N1 from becoming worse in our community.
Has the flu got you scared? What are you doing about it?

It's That Season Again

When I came to work this morning, it was what we consider cold here in South Georgia. And it was cold in the office as I cranked up this little computer.
You know how you think of a word, and that word makes you think of another word. I did that while sitting in my cold office. I know it will warm up a little later, but sitting at the computer with cold fingers caused my chain-reaction of words.
Cold made me think of winter. Winter did not make me think of Christmas. Instead, it made me think of flu. Yep, flu season is upon us. I've already talked with a couple of people who have been "laid low" with the flu, and it's only October.
One of the things we do here at the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library is help the public be aware of various opportunities they have available to them in our city, county and state. We have a long counter in front of the Fiction Section covered with pamphlets and brochures that tell about all kinds of help. But the other day when I passed by the counter, I didn't see a single brochure telling about the flu.
As a library here in Georgia, we have a great opportunity to partner with a group called Partnership for Health and Accountability, which also works with the Georgia Hospital Association to publish health facts. So, I went to the PHA/GHA website and obtained some information to make a brochure. Now, our patrons can pick up the brochure titled "What Is The Flu?" A stack of the brochures can be found on a small round table behind the Directional Sign in the front lobby, as well as on the long counter in front of the Fiction
Section.
The brochure will tell you what Influenza or "the flu" is, who can get it, and how you can tell if it's really the flu or just a cold. The brochure also names the symptoms, tells you what you should do, and how the doctor treats the flu. And it gives you online resources if you're interested in finding out more about seasonal influenza.
It's our pleasure to be able to provide you with information you need to keep healthy. Please pick up the flu brochure when you're in the library.
I got my flu shot the first week of October. Have you had yours? Protect yourself today! After all, it's that season again.
(Some resources: http://health.state.ga.us/pandemicflu/, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/flu.htm, http://www.cdc.gov/FLU/