Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Foreclosures UP!
RealtyTrak® reports that for the third quarter of 2007, "...Stockton, Calif., Detroit and Riverside-San Bernardino, Calif., documented the three highest foreclosure rates among the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan areas."
Recalls and Product Safety News
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products.
“The Cold and Flu Season has Begun”
With the changing of the leaves and colder temperatures, fall has arrived and so has the cold and flu season. Odds are you will catch a cold this season if you haven’t already, in fact it is estimated that the average American adult catches 2-4 colds per year. The flu is less common but more severe. About 5-20% of the population gets the flu, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized with flu complications each year and about 36,000 people actually die from the flu.
What is the difference between a cold and the flu?
The cold and flu are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by a different virus.
The flu is generally worse than the common cold.
Flu Symptoms: usually high fever, headache, body aches, extreme fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose
Cold Symptoms: usually milder than the flu, runny stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing
Prevention: Keeping the Germs Away!
Cold and flu viruses are commonly spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing or by touching something with the virus on it and then touching your mouth or nose. Some viruses can live up to 20 minutes to 2 hours or more on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks!
Hand washing: Keeping your hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Remember to use good hand washing technique rubbing the entire surface of your hands for at least 20 seconds (or the time it takes you to sing Happy Birthday twice). When soap and water are not available alcohol hand wipes or sanitizing gels work too.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth: Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches their own eyes, nose and mouth.
Cover your mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing: Cough or sneeze in a tissue and throw it away. Then clean your hands!
Your desktop or workspace could be making you sick! Cleaning surfaces with disinfectants may help stop infections. One study found that a desktop contained on average 21,000 germs per square inch compared to a toilet, which contained 49 germs per square inch. YUCK! At many offices custodians don’t touch peoples desks for fear of accidental misplacement or loss of important documents. Keep some disinfectant wipes handy just in case.
Don’t go to work if you are sick: Basic guidelines would be for workers to stay home until they are free of symptoms, fever, sore throat, nausea, or diarrhea for 24 hours.
It is not too late to get a flu shot: A good way to prevent seasonal flu is by getting a flu shot. Vaccinations are typically given between October and November to protect against the height of the flu season. Remember the flu season can last into April. Contact your healthcare provider to determine if the flu shot is right for you.
Practice daily healthy habits: Try to get plenty of sleep, eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, drink plenty of fluids, be physically active and manage stress as best as possible. These healthy habits will help to keep your immune system strong and able to fight infection better.
Can an antibiotic be used to treat a cold or flu?
Since viruses not bacteria cause cold and flu, an antibiotic is not effective in treating them. People with the flu can take a prescription medicine to reduce the time they are sick but only if they are taken within 48 hours of the first symptom’s appearance.
There are no known cures for colds or flu so the best step is prevention!
Resources:
Centers for Disease control – www.cdc.gov
National Institute of Health – www.nih.gov
American Lung Association- www.lungusa.org
Interactive Health Solutions – www.interactivehs.com
Noticiero de Salud
Noviembre 2007
“La Epoca de Gripe y Flu ha Empezado”
Consejos Para Mantenerse Saludable
Con el cambio de las hojas y temperaturas mas frias, el Otoño ha llegado al igual que la epoca de gripe y flu. Probablemente va a contraer la gripe esta epoca si no la ha contraido ya. Es estimado que el adulto Americano comun contrae entre 2-4 gripes por año. La flu es menos comun pero mas severa. Acerca de 5-20% de la poblacion contrae la flu, mas de 200,000 personas son hospitalizadas con complicaciones relacionadas al flu cada año y alrededor de 36,000 personas actualmente mueren del la flu.
Que es la diferencia entre el gripe y la flu?
Ambos son enfermedades respiratorias pero son causadas por viruses diferentes.
La flu es generalmente peor que el gripe comun.
Sintomas de la Flu: usualmente una fiebre alta, dolor de cabeza, dolor de cuerpo, cansancio extremo, tos seca, dolor de garganta, congestion nasal.
Sintomas del Gripe: usualmente mas leves que los de la flu, congestion nasal, estornudos, y tos.
Prevencion : Mantenga las Germenes Lejos!
Las viruses que causan el Gripe y la Flu son transladadas de persona a persona con la tos, los estornudos o simplemente con tocar algo con el virus y luego tocarse su boca o nariz. Algunas viruses pueden vivir desde 20 minutos a 2 horas o mas en superficies como mesas de cafeteria, manijas de puerta, y escritorios!
Lavar las Manos: Manteniendo sus manos limpias es uno de los mas importantes pasos que seguir para evitar la enfermedad y transmitir las germenes a otros. Recuerde de usar buenas tecnicas para lavarse las manos, tallarse toda la superficie de sus manos por un minimo de 20 segundos (o el tiempo que tome para cantar Feliz Cumpleaños dos veces). Cuando el jabon y agua no sea disponible, las toallas de alcohol o el gel sanitario son buenas substituciones.
Evite tocar sus ojos, nariz, o boca : Las germenes son frecuentemente transmitidas cuando una persona toca algo que fue contaminado con germenes y despues se toca sus propios ojos, boca, o nariz .
Cubra su boca y nariz cuando tosa o estornude : Tosa o estornude en un pañuelo o toalla y tirela a la basura. Despues limpiese las manos!
Su escritorio o area de trabajo puede causarle enfermedad! Limpiando las superficies con desinfectantes puede ayudar en prevenir infecciones. Un estudio encontro que un escritorio contiene en promedio de 21,000 germenes por pulgada cuadrada a comparacion a un sanitario , cual tenia 49 germenes por pulgada cuadrada. QUE ASCO! En muchas oficinas los empleados de limpieza no tocan los escritorios por miedo de perder cosas o documentos importantes accidentalmente. Mantenga unas toallas desinfectantes disponible por si en caso.
No valla a trabajar si esta enfermo: Guias basicas dicen que un trabajador se quede en casa hasta que este libre de sintomas, fiebre, dolor de garganta, nausea, o diarrea por 24 horas.
No es muy tarde para obtener una vacuna de la Flu: Una buena manera de prevenir la flu en esta epoca es recibiendo una vacuna de la Flu. Vacunas son tipicamente ofrecidas entre Octubre y Noviembre para protejer contra el punto culminante de la epoca de la Flu. Recuerde que la epoca de la Flu puede durar hasta Abril. Contacte a su proveedor de salud mas cercano para informarse si la vacuna de la Flu es una buena opcion para usted.
Acostumbre habitos diarios saludables: Trate de dormir suficiente, coma una dieta saludable alta en frutas y verduras, tome suficientes liquidos, sea activo fisicamente y maneje su nivel de estres lo mejor posible. Estos habitos saludables van a ayudar a mantener su sistema fuerte y mas capaz de combatir las infecciones.
Se puede usar un antibiotico para tratar una gripe o flu?
Ya que las viruses no las bacterias causan el gripe y la flu, un antibiotico no es efectivo como un tratamiento. Personas con la flu pueden tomar una medicina recetada para reducir el tiempo que esten enfermos, pero solamente si es tomada dentro de 48 horas desde la primera apariencia de los primeros sintomas.
No hay ningun tratamiento para el gripe o la flu, asi que el mejor paso es la prevencion!
Recursos :
Centros Para el Control de Enfermedad (Centers for Disease control) – www.cdc.gov
Instituto Nacional de Salud (National Institute of Health) – www.nih.gov
Asociacion Americana del Pulmon (American Lung Association) - www.lungusa.org
Interactive Health Solutions – www.interactivehs.com
What is the difference between a cold and the flu?
The cold and flu are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by a different virus.
The flu is generally worse than the common cold.
Flu Symptoms: usually high fever, headache, body aches, extreme fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose
Cold Symptoms: usually milder than the flu, runny stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing
Prevention: Keeping the Germs Away!
Cold and flu viruses are commonly spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing or by touching something with the virus on it and then touching your mouth or nose. Some viruses can live up to 20 minutes to 2 hours or more on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks!
Hand washing: Keeping your hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Remember to use good hand washing technique rubbing the entire surface of your hands for at least 20 seconds (or the time it takes you to sing Happy Birthday twice). When soap and water are not available alcohol hand wipes or sanitizing gels work too.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth: Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches their own eyes, nose and mouth.
Cover your mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing: Cough or sneeze in a tissue and throw it away. Then clean your hands!
Your desktop or workspace could be making you sick! Cleaning surfaces with disinfectants may help stop infections. One study found that a desktop contained on average 21,000 germs per square inch compared to a toilet, which contained 49 germs per square inch. YUCK! At many offices custodians don’t touch peoples desks for fear of accidental misplacement or loss of important documents. Keep some disinfectant wipes handy just in case.
Don’t go to work if you are sick: Basic guidelines would be for workers to stay home until they are free of symptoms, fever, sore throat, nausea, or diarrhea for 24 hours.
It is not too late to get a flu shot: A good way to prevent seasonal flu is by getting a flu shot. Vaccinations are typically given between October and November to protect against the height of the flu season. Remember the flu season can last into April. Contact your healthcare provider to determine if the flu shot is right for you.
Practice daily healthy habits: Try to get plenty of sleep, eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, drink plenty of fluids, be physically active and manage stress as best as possible. These healthy habits will help to keep your immune system strong and able to fight infection better.
Can an antibiotic be used to treat a cold or flu?
Since viruses not bacteria cause cold and flu, an antibiotic is not effective in treating them. People with the flu can take a prescription medicine to reduce the time they are sick but only if they are taken within 48 hours of the first symptom’s appearance.
There are no known cures for colds or flu so the best step is prevention!
Resources:
Centers for Disease control – www.cdc.gov
National Institute of Health – www.nih.gov
American Lung Association- www.lungusa.org
Interactive Health Solutions – www.interactivehs.com
Noticiero de Salud
Noviembre 2007
“La Epoca de Gripe y Flu ha Empezado”
Consejos Para Mantenerse Saludable
Con el cambio de las hojas y temperaturas mas frias, el Otoño ha llegado al igual que la epoca de gripe y flu. Probablemente va a contraer la gripe esta epoca si no la ha contraido ya. Es estimado que el adulto Americano comun contrae entre 2-4 gripes por año. La flu es menos comun pero mas severa. Acerca de 5-20% de la poblacion contrae la flu, mas de 200,000 personas son hospitalizadas con complicaciones relacionadas al flu cada año y alrededor de 36,000 personas actualmente mueren del la flu.
Que es la diferencia entre el gripe y la flu?
Ambos son enfermedades respiratorias pero son causadas por viruses diferentes.
La flu es generalmente peor que el gripe comun.
Sintomas de la Flu: usualmente una fiebre alta, dolor de cabeza, dolor de cuerpo, cansancio extremo, tos seca, dolor de garganta, congestion nasal.
Sintomas del Gripe: usualmente mas leves que los de la flu, congestion nasal, estornudos, y tos.
Prevencion : Mantenga las Germenes Lejos!
Las viruses que causan el Gripe y la Flu son transladadas de persona a persona con la tos, los estornudos o simplemente con tocar algo con el virus y luego tocarse su boca o nariz. Algunas viruses pueden vivir desde 20 minutos a 2 horas o mas en superficies como mesas de cafeteria, manijas de puerta, y escritorios!
Lavar las Manos: Manteniendo sus manos limpias es uno de los mas importantes pasos que seguir para evitar la enfermedad y transmitir las germenes a otros. Recuerde de usar buenas tecnicas para lavarse las manos, tallarse toda la superficie de sus manos por un minimo de 20 segundos (o el tiempo que tome para cantar Feliz Cumpleaños dos veces). Cuando el jabon y agua no sea disponible, las toallas de alcohol o el gel sanitario son buenas substituciones.
Evite tocar sus ojos, nariz, o boca : Las germenes son frecuentemente transmitidas cuando una persona toca algo que fue contaminado con germenes y despues se toca sus propios ojos, boca, o nariz .
Cubra su boca y nariz cuando tosa o estornude : Tosa o estornude en un pañuelo o toalla y tirela a la basura. Despues limpiese las manos!
Su escritorio o area de trabajo puede causarle enfermedad! Limpiando las superficies con desinfectantes puede ayudar en prevenir infecciones. Un estudio encontro que un escritorio contiene en promedio de 21,000 germenes por pulgada cuadrada a comparacion a un sanitario , cual tenia 49 germenes por pulgada cuadrada. QUE ASCO! En muchas oficinas los empleados de limpieza no tocan los escritorios por miedo de perder cosas o documentos importantes accidentalmente. Mantenga unas toallas desinfectantes disponible por si en caso.
No valla a trabajar si esta enfermo: Guias basicas dicen que un trabajador se quede en casa hasta que este libre de sintomas, fiebre, dolor de garganta, nausea, o diarrea por 24 horas.
No es muy tarde para obtener una vacuna de la Flu: Una buena manera de prevenir la flu en esta epoca es recibiendo una vacuna de la Flu. Vacunas son tipicamente ofrecidas entre Octubre y Noviembre para protejer contra el punto culminante de la epoca de la Flu. Recuerde que la epoca de la Flu puede durar hasta Abril. Contacte a su proveedor de salud mas cercano para informarse si la vacuna de la Flu es una buena opcion para usted.
Acostumbre habitos diarios saludables: Trate de dormir suficiente, coma una dieta saludable alta en frutas y verduras, tome suficientes liquidos, sea activo fisicamente y maneje su nivel de estres lo mejor posible. Estos habitos saludables van a ayudar a mantener su sistema fuerte y mas capaz de combatir las infecciones.
Se puede usar un antibiotico para tratar una gripe o flu?
Ya que las viruses no las bacterias causan el gripe y la flu, un antibiotico no es efectivo como un tratamiento. Personas con la flu pueden tomar una medicina recetada para reducir el tiempo que esten enfermos, pero solamente si es tomada dentro de 48 horas desde la primera apariencia de los primeros sintomas.
No hay ningun tratamiento para el gripe o la flu, asi que el mejor paso es la prevencion!
Recursos :
Centros Para el Control de Enfermedad (Centers for Disease control) – www.cdc.gov
Instituto Nacional de Salud (National Institute of Health) – www.nih.gov
Asociacion Americana del Pulmon (American Lung Association) - www.lungusa.org
Interactive Health Solutions – www.interactivehs.com
$13.9 Billion = economic impact of real estate transactions.
Using Advocacy Program funds, IAR commissioned a study to examine the expenses that buyers and sellers incur in conjunction with the purchase of an average-priced home in Illinois. The study found Illinois total direct expenditures over seven industries (construction, retail, transportation and warehousing, finance and insurance, real estate, professional and management services, government) of $4.8 billion. The study further reviewed the direct and indirect economic results of these expenditures made by a seller and a buyer in a single residential transaction amounting to another $7.1 billion.
© Illinois Association of REALTORS®
© Illinois Association of REALTORS®
Talking points for the Illinois housing market in advance of the Nov. 28 October housing release.
IAR will release data to the media for October 2007 home sales and prices statewide and the Chicago PMSA. In the release, IAR president Kay Wirth says: “The strength of the Midwest market is evident during this transition year for housing as we see prices in Illinois hovering about even and in many areas appreciating well. Slower sales can be attributed to many factors which still include credit tightening and overall buyer wariness, but in Illinois of course we’re beginning to enter the holiday and winter seasons when a slowdown is to be expected--
Some may look back at this time and see an opportunity missed with interest rates so low and a nice selection of homes on the market.
The FHA market share for home purchases is expected to further accelerate in 2008, helping first-time buyers enter the market with a safer and lower interest rate mortgage product.
A typical homeowner had $184,400 in net worth versus only $4,000 for a typical renter, according to data from the Federal Reserve.
On average, the value of a home nearly doubles every 10 years.
Some may look back at this time and see an opportunity missed with interest rates so low and a nice selection of homes on the market.
The FHA market share for home purchases is expected to further accelerate in 2008, helping first-time buyers enter the market with a safer and lower interest rate mortgage product.
A typical homeowner had $184,400 in net worth versus only $4,000 for a typical renter, according to data from the Federal Reserve.
On average, the value of a home nearly doubles every 10 years.
Want to block the flurry of credit card offers?
You know, the ones that say “you’ve been pre-approved” for some deal? Consider “opting out.” Call the toll-free number 1-888-567-8688 or visit www.optoutprescreen.com. Both are operated by the three major credit bureaus and are free of charge. Learn more from the Partnership for HomeOwnership.
Median Home Prices Rise in Most Metros; Majority Show Modest Gains
WASHINGTON, November 21, 2007 -
The vast majority of metropolitan areas showed rising or stable home prices in the third quarter with most experiencing modest gains compared with a year earlier, despite a broad decline in existing-home sales.
The vast majority of metropolitan areas showed rising or stable home prices in the third quarter with most experiencing modest gains compared with a year earlier, despite a broad decline in existing-home sales.