You give me fever...

I had the unfortunate luck to contract a ferocious food poisoning bug... from tofu curry. I'm not sure how it is possible, but let me tell you... its worse than ferocious. Spent the good portion of four days resting at home or in bed.

So I thought today's post would be about saving money, as always, but not skimping on the things you desperately need in case of emergency illness. Because it is great to save money and preventative maintenance (my term for the decade) is the best way to save money on unnecessary hospital or doctors visits.

In case of ferocious food poisoning (not limited to tofu curry)
*Time to rest- It is better to miss one or two days of work to stay at home and feel better than to have to spend your entire work week recuperating from the illness you let spiral out of control.
*A OTC medicine that reduces fever- Follow the directions on the bottle, no matter how crummy you feel you don't want to cause anymore damage or stress to your body by taking to much. These miracle pills will help keep your fever low and will satiate the need to rip your throbbing brain from your skull. Its graphic, but you'll know when you're there.
*Chicken noodle soup- Being a vegetarian, I didn't get to utilize this aspect of treatment, but it has renown healing properties in the chicken and the broth. It is light enough that it just might stay down but hearty enough that your body can draw enough nutrients to fight back.
*Cold drinks/Hot Drinks- If you're fever is ferocious, you'll know this too, you'll experience hot and cold flashes like your grandma said she was experiencing as she went through the change you'll want some cold drinks for the hot flashes and the hot drinks for your cold sweats. Old wives would tell you to drink clear soda, but studies have shown that the darker ones are better at soothing your rumbling tumblies (my mom's term... think I'll adopt that one too) so drink up. For your hot drinks, stay away from anything dairy including any creamer you might pop into your coffee or tea. And remember LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER. Part of your raging headache is because you're not hydrating enough and your body needs to remain hydrated if you want to spend the least amount of time being ill.
*Shower, shower, shower- As soon as you feel your body temperature rising, hop in the shower for a few minutes to attempt to keep yourself cool. Before you go to bed for the evening, hop in the shower in anticipation of another fever while you sleep. When you wake up in the morning, shower if you feel sweaty because well sanitation is also something we should keep in mind when we're sick... or not.

Keep in mind that you might also be contagious, in case it isn't the ferocious food poisioning, and take precautions to not spread it to your family.

Other types of emergencies that we need not skimp over may involve having a useful first-aid kit in your house. Stock it once, frown at the price, and move on. Keep it well stocked and know what to use when (most come with an instruction booklet) and rest in the knowledge that it would have cost you about $50.00 an item at the ER.
Include the following in each of your first-aid kits:

* first-aid manual
* sterile gauze
* adhesive tape
* adhesive bandages in several sizes
* elastic bandage
* antiseptic wipes
* soap
* antibiotic cream (triple-antibiotic ointment)
* antiseptic solution (like hydrogen peroxide)
* hydrocortisone cream (1%)
* acetaminophen and ibuprofen
* extra prescription medications (if the family is going on vacation)
* tweezers
* sharp scissors
* safety pins
* disposable instant cold packs
* calamine lotion
* alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol
* thermometer
* plastic gloves (at least 2 pairs)
* flashlight and extra batteries
* mouthpiece for administering CPR (can be obtained from your local Red Cross)
* your list of emergency phone numbers
* blanket (stored nearby)

Visit youtube.com to learn how to perfrom CPR or the Heimlich maneuver.

AND STAY HEALTHY!!! :)