FitSugar

When Is a Fever Too High?

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 16:49:00 PST

With the nasty flu bug making its rounds, there's only so much eating healthy, getting enough rest, washing your hands, getting a flu shot, and avoiding germs one can do. If you're unlucky enough to get the flu, your body will hike up your body temperature to boil away all those germs. So is there a point when your temperature can get too high?

When you get the flu, a sudden high fever is totally normal, and it can get as high as 104° F and last for three to four days. The best thing you can do is to rest and drink plenty of fluids, since a fever can cause you to become dehydrated. Don't attempt to cool off your skin with cold packs since they'll just make you shiver, which will end up raising your body temperature. Instead you should alternate between taking Tylenol and ibuprofen every four hours to help reduce your fever. Alternating these meds will help to prevent accidental overdose, and sometimes the combination of the two will be more effective in bringing down your fever. But if your fever persists for more than five days or goes over 104° F, call your doctor and get some medical advice immediately.

How to Adjust Your Tax Withholding

Kiplinger — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:14:10 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart Kiplinger story here on Savvy!

Political theater over whether or not to extend the 2% payroll tax holiday has overshadowed the fact that most workers can do more to reduce the amount of tax withheld from their paychecks than anything cooked up in Washington.

The power-to-the-people ploy? Using a W-4 form to put an end to overwithholding from your paychecks. First, let's set the stage. Even as anti-Washington sentiment rises to a fever pitch, most middle-class Americans continue to allow the government to claim more than its share every single payday. The proof: In 2011, 109 million of the 145 million individual tax returns filed called for refunds. That's 75%. The average refund last year: $2,913. That's significantly more than even the highest-paid worker gets from a 2% payroll tax holiday.

Yes, we love our tax refunds. But we ask this simple question of those of you who get refunds year after year: Doesn't it make more sense to get your money when you earn it?

If you agree with us that the answer is a resounding "yes," we have good news. Unlike stubbornly high unemployment, it's easy to fix overwithholding. All you have to do is file a revised Form W-4 with your employer. The information on that little form determines how much federal income tax is withheld from your checks. The more "allowances" you claim on the W-4, the less income tax will be withheld.

Read on for more.

Combat Cabin Fever With Katherine Heigl

Sponsor — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:00:00 PST

It's cold out and cabin fever has set in. You've extensively researched (aka Facebook stalked) your New Year's kiss, emptied out your DVR, and polished off the last of those Christmas cookies. What's a girl to do? Head to the movie theater!

You won't want to miss One for the Money. Based on Janet Evanovich's best-selling novel, this boyfriend-friendly flick blends action and, of course, romance. And as the story's heroine, Katherine Heigl definitely brings the laughs. Follow her character, Stephanie Plum, a proud, born-and-bred Jersey girl who is on the trail of a murder suspect who also happens to be her high school ex-boyfriend (hilarity ensues). So, step away from the empty cookie tin and mark your calendar, One for the Money hits theaters Jan. 27!

Can't wait to see the movie? Watch the trailer below and check out the Facebook page here.

The Obama Girls Are Treated to an Evening With a Teen Idol

Annie Scudder — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:56:56 PST

Here's one perk of going through your potentially awkward tween years in the national spotlight: you get to mingle with one of the world's most popular teen idols. Last night, Sasha and Malia were the envy of American girls everywhere, as they accepted hugs and high fives from Justin Bieber at the annual Christmas in Washington concert. Jennifer Hudson, Cee Lo Green, and Conan O'Brien were on hand too, singing songs at the concert that benefits the Children's National Medical Center. But it looked like the whole first family caught a case of Bieber fever, as the pop star got some love from the president and first lady. All three Obama girls, Michelle, Malia, and Sasha, looked chic for the evening. See how the first daughters are growing up now with pictures from last night's concert!

Work From Home or Take a Sick Day? Here's How to Decide

Anna Monette Roberts — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 07:34:26 PST

Modern technology makes it easier to transport our work to home, which can be a blessing when you wake up with a nasty cough but aren't sick enough to skip out on work. Here are a few tips to help you know when you should work from home or when you should take a sick day and rest.

Work from home if you have:

Nasal congestion, headaches, sneezing, coughing, or a runny nose: Nothing is worse than sharing a desk with someone who is persistently coughing, sniffing, sneezing, and blowing their nose. Not only is the sound annoying, but it's repulsive to think that each time you cough or sneeze, you are potentially spreading your germs all around the room. If your energy levels are OK, work from home until your nose blowing and coughing calms down. Since you are the most contagious the first two days, make a point to stay home during this period as a courtesy to your colleagues. Keep in mind that if your cold has zapped your energy levels down to zero, give yourself a day or two to rest.

Find out when you should take a sick day.

Glee-ful Highlights From Episode "I Kissed a Girl"

Shannon Vestal — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 07:41:59 PST

Everyone's got election fever on this week's Glee, and we find out the results of both the student body and congressional race. Because of the political ad threatening to expose Santana, we watch her deal with her sexuality, and the support she gets (and doesn't get) from those around her. It brings out a soft side of Finn (no, that's not a reference to Santana's preferred insults for Finn), who asks everyone to sing a song celebrating women. Sue also gets taken to task for her love life, but her tactics end up hurting Coach Beiste.

Meanwhile, Puck and Shelby take their forbidden relationship to the next level, and Rachel does something to help Kurt, but she ends up hurting the whole glee club. It's a surprisingly emotional episode, and there are lots of great lines (Santana and Sue really outdo themselves this week), but what made it for me are this week's upbeat, encouraging musical numbers. Let's break it all down into the highlights when you keep reading.

5 Fast, Inexpensive Ways to Get Rid of Redness

Miriam Lacey — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:53:00 PDT

Dry, ruddy-skin season is upon us, and if you have sensitive skin or naturally pink undertones, it can mean lots of unwanted redness all over. Not to worry, though, because there are plenty of quick, simple fixes that will get you looking nice and cooled-off again in no time; check them out.

Achoo! 5 Helpful Items For Surviving Cold and Flu Season

LilSugar — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:02:56 PDT

There's nothing worse than a cranky tot who can't fall asleep because he's so congested he can't breathe! As temperatures drop and fallen leaves blanket the sidewalks, mamas start to prepare for runny noses, nasty coughs, and sky-high fevers. Check out these five must-have items to help your kiddo - and mom! - survive the cold and flu season.

Kidsline Ultrasonic Cool Mist Monkey Humidifier ($40): Help baby breathe better during naptime or bedtime with a humidifier. This monkey-shaped mist spout makes the contraption less scary for tots!
Graco Nasal Clear Nasal Aspirator ($20): You'll render your little one's nose "boogie-free" in a matter of seconds with this gadget, and that's pretty awesome - because mamas know that using a standard nasal aspirator is a two-person job.
Ayr Baby's Saline Nose Spray/Drops ($3): Use a saline solution to loosen mucus before using a nasal aspirator or having your tot blow his nose.
Graco 1 Second Ear Thermometer ($17): Getting babies to hold still while mama takes their temperature isn't easy. A digital ear thermometer lets you do it in the blink of an eye!
Boogie Wipes ($4): Sore, red noses are a thing of the past, ever since these gentle saline wipes hit the market. They offer quick, gentle, effective relief of stuck-on "boogies" - and they smell so good, mama just might end up using them for herself.

Tainted Cantaloupes and Listeriosis: What You Need to Know

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:11:10 PDT

Listeria-tainted cantaloupes have now affected at least 14 states including Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and California. So far, 55 infections and eight deaths have been confirmed, and even more are suspected. Local, state, and federal health experts are investigating the increasing outbreak connected to whole cantaloupes grown in the Rocky Ford-region of Colorado and shipped by supplier Jensen Farms of Holly, CO. The FDA issued a cantaloupe recall on Sept. 14, after tests revealed victims were infected with four strains of listeria. Jenson Farms is fully cooperating with health officials to determine the cause of the outbreak.

The whole cantaloupes may be marked by one of two stickers: A green and white sticker that reads: Product of USA - Frontera Produce - Colorado Fresh - Rocky Ford Cantaloupe. Or, a gray, yellow, and green sticker that reads: Jensen Farms - Sweet Rocky Fords. If you've purchased cantaloupe from this company, throw it out ASAP. Even if you've eaten the melon and haven't gotten sick, ditch the fruit anyway as infections can arise up to two months after eating a food contaminated with listeria. Also, the FDA warns people not to attempt to wash away the bacteria as both the inside and outside of the melons might be contaminated.

I'm sure you have tons of questions about listeriosis, so keep reading to learn more about this infection, and find out what you can do to prevent getting sick.

How to Know If Your Baby Is Dehydrated

Heather Dale — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 07:37:10 PDT

One would assume that with all the milk babies drink that they don't need any more fluids. But because babies have relatively small fluid reserves and high metabolic rates, they can easily lose electrolytes and water, which are crucial for their little bodies to function. And if your baby is having a bad bout of diarrhea, she'll also be susceptible to becoming dehydrated more quickly than usual.

Dehydration is reversible, but it's important to take action as soon as possible. If a baby's fluids aren't replenished over a long period of time then it even be fatal. Here are some important signs to watch for to know if your baby is dehydrated.