Society Articles

It sounds like the plot of the next blockbuster movie. A third of the world’s population is struck down by a deadly virus that spreads across the globe so rapidly that there is no time to develop a vaccine. Up to half of those infected – even young, healthy adults – die. But as health professionals know, this scenario is not just a flight of fancy. It could be the very real effects of the next pandemic flu outbreak, particularly if H5N1 (also known as highly pathogenic avian flu) is the virus in question, and it is this knowledge that is pushing not just federal and state government but organizations and businesses throughout the world to develop a strategy to tackle it.

Within colleges and universities, the burden of pandemic flu planning is likely to fall upon many student health directors, even at institutions with environmental health and safety departments. John Covely, a consultant on pandemic flu planning and the co-author of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s pandemic plan, explains why this is so.

“Traditionally, emergency planning originates from public safety, or environment health and safety, but a communicable disease poses the biggest threat to students in group quarters. Thus, student health directors are often leading the emergency planning effort for the whole university, because the entire plan - not just the student health component - could be the difference in life or death for their students.”

The importance of having a campus-wide plan that is ready – not just in the preliminary stages – when the pandemic strikes is all the more clear when you consider that, unlike seasonal flu, H5N1 has an increased risk for the typical student demographic of young, healthy adults. The startlingly high mortality rate of up to 60 percent is partly due to a protein, also found in the strain of virus responsible for the 1918 pandemic flu outbreak, which causes a response in a healthy immune system known as a “cytokine storm”, often leading to respiratory failure and death.

Planning for such a massive and yet unpredictable event may seem a formidable task, but Dr. Anita Barkin, chair of the American College Health Association’s pandemic planning committee, counsels that those universities and colleges that have yet to formulate a pandemic plan shouldn’t feel overwhelmed by the work that lies before them. “Pandemic planning is about good emergency preparedness. The things we do to prepare for any emergency are the things we would do to prepare for pandemic flu,” she explains.
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The studies are in and the results are fairly shocking. Between 70 and 80 percent of women are wearing the wrong size bra. This can lead to all kinds of comfort issues not to mention actual health problems.

Many women already understand how hard it is to find the right size. Some may go through life and never find it. For those that do, however, the epiphany should lead to two steps. The first step it to immediately buy as many of the particular model of bra as you can find. Why? The makers of bras are famous for ending a line of production for no particular reason. The bra that fits so well this year, may not even be available next year, so buy them while you can.

The second step you must absolutely take is to learn how to properly launder and care for your perfect fit bra. Again, the goal is to make the bra last as long as possible. The first step is to read any recommendations forwarded by the bra manufacturer. This includes hopping over to their website to see what they have to say. If they do not provide any advice, there are some basic steps to follow for just about any bra.

Our first subject is the strength of the detergent you use. We are not trying to remove a wine stain from carpet. Go easy on the detergent. Use a gentle detergent that will not damage the cups. It is also much better for your skin.

Our second bit of advice has to do with the temperature of the wash. Avoid warm or hot washes. Always go with cold ones. Why? Heat will shrink material in your bra. This can ruin the fit. A tighter fit will also result in stretching and such that can end up ruining the bra in the long run. When it comes to washing your bras, cold water is always the choice.

Washing machines are wonderful things, but they can do a number on bras. If you find a bra that fits well, it is worth your time to hand wash it. Just collect the bras and do it once a weekend. Gentle detergent and cold water in a sink should do the trick. Hang the bras up to air dry and you should be in good shape.

Every woman has a different body. Finding a bra that fits you just perfectly is a time consuming and often frustrating affair. Once you find it, however, it is worth taking the time and effort to launder it in a way that will result in it lasting for a very long time indeed.

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Article from : http://ezinearticles.com/?Laundering-Bras-So-They-Last&id=1646041

As winter comes on in full force, we all buckle prepare our homes, cars and the like to stay warm for the coming low temperatures. You should also be preparing your pets for the coming cool weather.

We tend to think of our pets as hardy creatures. They can handle cold, water, snow and the like without any health problems. After all, they were once wild animals, right? Well, we used to live in caves as well, but you don’t see me spending time out in the elements. The same goes for your pets. Just because they are animals does not mean they can automatically handle the winter weather.

If you keep a dog outside, you need to do some research. Not all pups are able to handle the cold weather. Look up your breed online or ask a vet about how you should care for the pup during the winter months.

Even if your pup can handle staying outside in the cold, you should take some basic steps to make things comfortable for them. A dog house is a must. Make sure to turn it so that the opening in the front is not facing the wind. The wind can drop temperatures significantly, so help your pup out. Try to keep the house slightly off the ground to avoid problems with rain water flooding it. Also, put a blanket in so your pup has something to sit on that isn’t freezing cold like the floor.

Keeping pups active is another key to helping them through the winter. We all tend to buckle down for the winter, but your dog needs to stay in shape. Throw a ball around the yard. If it is to cold, bring the pup in and play inside the home or garage. A dog in good condition is a dog in good health. Read the rest of this entry »