Holidays: Time for Family, Friends, and Germs

[carolyngoodman]

Greetings,

I hope you've all enjoyed the holidays. Some of you have been surrounded by family and friends, others have had a relaxing time away from the hustle and bustle. At CPAPtalk.com, we've had a bit of both. Lots of family and germs at first and then one by one we were dropping like flies under the covers and out of sight. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

Being sick over the holidays got me thinking about congestion, sinus infections and CPAP. Ouch! Thanks to the earlier contributions of CPAPtalk members we have a CPAP Wiki article outlining things to try and techniques to avoid on the road to recovery:

wiki/index.php/Sinus_congestion

Not only was this article a big help, it's an inspiration that SO Many of you contributed to its creation. I'm looking forward to seeing this article and others grow from your involvement. Now that I'm finally well, I'm happy to pass this good advice on to you... here's just a sample:

Try:
1. Wait and See
2. Visiting the ear/nose/throat doctor
3. Vicks inhaler
4. Vicks steam inhaler

Jury is Still out:
1. Neti Pot

Avoid:
1. Benadryl

Join the likes of: Velbor, DkDc, Lee Lee, YawnGirl, Rooster, BearCat42, Violet, Autopapdude, Bearded_two, Dejaboo, Falcon1, rjjayrt, Muffy and Mtnviewer and put your two cents onto the CPAP Wiki. Just sign in using your CPAPtalk uesrname and password and have editing and writing privelages!

Best wishes for a HEALTHY(and restful) 2010!

-Carolyn Goodman

[thewetlizard]

Because I do home health I have a client who has shingles. Because I never had chicken pox, I do wear a mask and wear gloves. But I'm still a little bit nervous. Is there any thing else I can do?

[katherinefulmer]

Great post, Carolyn! I'm going to add 'Ginger Tea' to the good list. My brother recommended it and it does wonders! I hope you and your family will like it too. I especially like the basic instructions which are all I can handle under sinus pressure:

Cut a few slivers of ginger root into a cup
Pour hot water into the cup
Steap
Drink
Ahhh


----

-wetlizard: If your patient has active blisters they can pass it on to you. Tips about protecting yourself from it are out of our relm I bet, but you should try the question on a nursing forum. Definitely there are tons of people out there who have treated people with shingles without contracting it themselves. They'll know what to do!