Don't be nasty! Wash your hands.

I recently did a bit of traveling. Not as much as some of you probably do regularly, but for me it was a lot. Traveling induces a lot of anxiety for me. It didn't always. I dread moving around strange cities alone and I really, really dread the fatigue and arm heaviness that usually happens once I'm on my own, pulling and tugging my luggage and my computer case.

I don't lift a lot of heavy items with my lymphedema arm and just moving around so much usually results in a flare up. Its one of those side effects that annoys me constantly but since I realize it really could be so much worse... I just deal.

Thanks to my wonderful life as a blogger and writer... I don't actually go a lot of places. I work wherever my computer and the internet are. Which is usually at home. But the downside of that is that when I do venture forth into the world... I come into contact with ... people outside.

Now, don't get mad... because I don't mean to be rude but... SOME OF Y'ALL ARE NASTY!

The seasons are changing. More germs are around. Take precautions!!

Its early fall. The temperatures are dropping. Leaves are beginning to change colors and drop. And germs are every where around us. Nasty little germy kids... (no... of course I'm not talking about YOUR precious darling kids...)

But some people's children are little magnets for cooties and yuck-stuff and germs.

So I have a PSA (public service announcement) for all the rest of us who don't often come into contact with nasty little germy people...

WASH. YOUR. HANDS! 

That's it.

It's really simple. Just wash your hands. Or use an antibacterial gel. Often.

When you go to the bathroom, wash your hands.
When you're preparing food, wash your hands.
When you sneeze or cough, wash your hands.

Just... wash your hands.

Its cold and flu season again. 

The temperature changes along with the fact that people aren't really ready to let go of summer yet... means that plenty of people are running around dressed inappropriately and catching all types of cooties. Germs just love all these opportunities I think... to make us sick and fill us with their party buddies.

I'm not a germaphobe but I don't like to be sick. So, do us all a big favor... and just wash your hands. And don't touch me!!

Enough of the foolishness. Let me be serious for a moment.

As I write this, we're experiencing an outbreak of Ebola in different places around the world. This disease is deadly if not caught and treated immediately. A man just died here in the US the other day from Ebola and people are panicked everywhere. Well, keep in mind that the flu can be deadly to some of us and colds make us all just miserable. The first line of defense for all of these diseases is utilizing proper hygiene. And that starts with washing your hands.

Cancer patients often have weakened immune systems thanks to the treatments they receive. Small children and the elderly also have weaker immune systems. Yes, you need to get your flu shots, and cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze... but the one thing you should always, always, always, always do... is wash your hands. 

Wash them often and wash them well. Use lots of soap and water... really lather up and wash your hands for more than a few seconds. That little action kills so many germs that get so many of us sick.

Prepare yourself and be kind to others... just wash your hands. Don't believe me... read this articles from the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and the Dana-Farber Medical Facility. Washing your hands is very important. Washing your hands is serious business (even if this blog post was full of silliness).

http://www.cdcfoundation.org/blog-entry/helping-cancer-patients-prevent-infections-in-winter

http://www.dana-farber.org/Health-Library/When-and-how-to-wash-your-hands.aspx

And while you're out and about... check to be sure that your sick kit is stocked up. In case you don't remember my advice about having a fully-stocked "sick kit"... check out this post. Read: Sometimes you need a sick kit

When my boyfriend came to pick me up from the train station, I went to his home instead of my own. We hadn't seen each other in about a week or so and I missed him. But we had to stop at the CVS on the way home because he's such a man and he didn't have a sick kit.

Boo... Guess what might be under the Christmas tree for somebody I love?

A handy dandy SICK KIT! I think every home should have at least one. Well, actually two. A sick kit for colds (that is filled with products like the ones in the picture)... and a general first-aid kit. You just never know when you need one.

Be safe y'all. 
*blowing air kisses because I refuse to touch y'all*

PS. Use Lysol too. It kills staph germs that may be lingering around your house. Trust me. Just get it and spray!