MyNursingUniforms Blog

Welcome to the New Year! Let's ring in the 2010 with a new renewed sense to increase our hygiene and prevent the spread of flu and colds. Here are some helpful reminders to get your kickstarted!

Nurses and other health care professionals spend the day surrounded by people who are sick, and since they are human, it's not uncommon for nurses to find themselves battling to stay well themselves. Considering the recent outbreaks of Swine Flu (Influenza A/H1N1), taking proactive steps to stay healthy and strong on the job is more important than ever.

Many hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities have created their own infection control programs. These are steps and/or processes put into practice in the event of the outbreak of highly infectious diseases and infections, and not only include practices for handling patients, but also for handling internal staff.

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In the world of pandemics and the emergence of the second wave H1N1 news, with worries about getting sick, avoiding sick people, wondering whether or not to get the vaccination shot, worrying about the economy, worrying about family matters and more, is it any wonder people are feeling a little stressed out? While being stressed can certainly bring on headaches and muscle tension, stress has proven to be a hazard to your immune system.

How Worrying About Getting Sick – CAN - Make You Sick!

Here's the facts. According to a July 2004 meta-analysis of 30 years worth of studies, two psychologists Suzanne Segerstrom, Ph.D., and Gregory Miller, Ph.D. determined that both long-term stress actually weakens and suppresses the immune system, while short-term stress can actually boost the immune system. Let's break this down:

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The news continues to grow – the second wave of H1N1 is here. The news is reporting that there has been an increase in the number of cases over the last month. In fact, as of October 11, 2009 the World Health Organization has reported that there have been more than 399232 lab confirmed cases of the pandemic flu and over 4735 reported deaths. If you think the flu only kills the weak and elderly, think again. The CDC has confirmed that 90% of the deaths from the H1N1 flu have been in people under the age of 65! (more...)

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of September 27, 2009 there have been more than 340,000 laboratory confirmed cases of the pandemic H1N1 influenza and more than 4100 deaths. It is still hard to confirm the number of actual cases as many countries have stopped counting the mild cases. This may mean that the actual number of H1N1 cases is significantly higher. The flu continues to spread, and in North America, as of September 27, the increase in respiratory diseases has been higher than normal in the last two weeks.

In response to the need to protect the public, health-care workers, doctors, nurses, and those working in hospitals and clinics have, in many areas, been asked to get the new H1N1 vaccine. While the plan is to protect people, many of these individuals are protesting, saying that they should not be forced to get the vaccine as a condition of keeping their employment. In a recent article in the USA Today news, Sue Field, a registered nurse who works in a maternity ward and organizer of a rally to protest the mandatory vaccination of medical professionals, said "There's no proof this vaccine will protect us from swine flu or protect us from spreading it to other." Still, Dr. Richard Daines, the New York state health commissioner, says that the H1N1 vaccine is safe and the best way to prevent the spread of the flu. He also says that while there is a flu outbreak every year that results in about 2,000 deaths in New York and 36,000 deaths in the country, the H1N1 pandemic will most likely result in three outbreaks. (more...)