Quarantined!

Until further notice the Sister house is now under full quarantine.

Mr. Sister has the flu.

Big Sister has a bad upper respiratory infection and is now wheezing.

Munchie Boy has the "coughs".

Based on my usage of the following products, I suggest buying stock in this company.

Me? I'm doing well, for now. Thanks for asking.

They told me I should wear a mask around my sick little darlings

but this is all I could scrounge up.

I don't think this is what they meant, though.

(thanks to Jenn from Rook No. 17 for the
photoshopped image of moi!)

PSA: Is it Flu?

FEVER: Rare with colds but usually present with the flu. A temperature of 101 or highter for 3-4 days is associated with he flu.

ACHES: Slight body aches can be part of a cold. Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.

CHILLS: Uncommon with a cold and fairly common in most flu cases. Chills and shivering area normal reaction to a cold environment, but unexplained chills can also be a sign of the flu.

TIREDNESS: Fairly mild with a cold. In the case of flu, tiredness can be moderate to severe. It's normal to feel tired at the end of a long day or when you don't get adequate rest, but unexplained tiredness can be a sign of the flu.

SUDDEN SYMPTOMS: Cold symptom do not come on suddenly, generally developing over a few days. The flu has a rapid onset with 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.

COUGHING: A hacking cough that brings up mucus is often present with a cold. In the case of flu, the cough is usually dry and nonproductive of mucus.

SNEEZING: Commonly present with a cold but not common with the flu, although it can occur.

STUFFY/RUNNY NOSE: This is a very common symptom of a cold and usually resolves over the course of a week. It can also be present with the flu.

SORE THROAT: A sore throat is pain and inflammation in the throat that is common with a cold. It is not common, but can be present with the flu.

CHEST DISCOMFORT: This is generally mild to moderate with a cold but in the case of the flu it is often severe.

HEADACHE: Fairly uncommon with a cold but very common with the flu as it is present in 80% of flu cases.

Common sense disclaimer: Please visit your doctor for an accurate diagnosis of the flu or cold. I am not a doctor and I don't even pretend to play one on my blog.

Information appearing in this post came from NoFlu.org. Please visit this site for further information and for information pertaining to the "swine flu".

Too Good to be True?

I am not one to fall for hype. However, after hearing so many testimonials, the time had come for me to try it for myself. I woke up yesterday with a terribly sore throat, sinus drainage and chest congestion. I was coughing up icky, sticky mucous. I was lightheaded and dizzy, too. This had all the hallmarks of a severe cold. On a whim, on our way home from our big Christmas deal (http://5thsister.blogspot.com/2008/11/black-friday.html), we pulled into our favorite CVS pharmacy and I purchased a bottle Zicam (TM). I was hesitant to do so because the last time I used Zicam (nasal swabs) it took away my sense of smell. This time I decided to try the rapid melts. 1st dose taken at 7 a.m. I went back to bed at 8 a.m. and slept until noon. I took a 2nd dose at that time. I'm feeling better but not 100%. I took another dose at 4 p.m. By evening I was not experiencing any symptoms of a chest cold. Coincidence? You decide. I just know I am feeling great and am ready to decorate for Christmas!