US Media Studios Relays 2016 Flu Vaccine Information

Do you get the flu vaccine every year? Nearly a quarter of adults don’t get this annual vaccine for varying reasons. One of those reasons is having a reaction to the vaccine. But very few people who get the flu shot ever have a bad reaction to it.

The Flu Shot and Side Effects 

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 157 million to 168 million doses of the injectable flu vaccine available this year. The vaccine is one of the most effective ways to reduce the chance of getting the flu. Yet, the possibility of feeling lousy from side effects keeps some adults away from the doctor’s office, community center or pharmacy. Soreness at the shot site that lasts for maybe two days is one of the aftereffects of the vaccine. Other complaints US Media Studios notes people make after getting the shot are: headache, nausea, and muscle aches, which can be the symptoms of influenza. These last perhaps a day or two and then go away.

Who Should and Should Not Get the Flu Shot

Children 6 months old and everyone else and especially seniors.

Pregnant women can get the flu shot.

Children under 6 months should not get the flu shot.

Anyone with a severe egg allergy should not get the flu shot

The Flu Shot Myth

Every year we hear people say they won’t get the flu shot because they think it will give them the flu. The truth is that the flu viruses are inactive and therefore, non-infectious in the vaccine. One cannot get catch the flu bug from getting a flu shot. If someone does happen to get the flu after getting a flu vaccination, they were already exposed to the virus before immunity from the vaccine was built up.

Stay healthy this fall and winter.

US Media Studios Reviews Fall and Winter Household Expenses

Household budgets are tight for many Americans. Yet, we still will spend a pretty penny to spiff up the home for the fall and winter holidays.

A recent poll from the National Retail Federation estimates that Halloween enthusiasts will spend $8.4 billion getting ready for the yearly fall holiday. That comes out to almost $83 per shopper and almost $10 more per shopper than last year. The estimate includes decorations, candy and the always popular costumes, which many people shop for in physical stores and online.

US Media Studios also notes from the survey that Americans spent more than $626 billion dollars in 2015 on winter holiday preparations. Meanwhile, it’s reported that we spend almost $76 billion dollars on back to school and college shopping, with Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day and Easter following in that order.

Fall and winter household expenses for home repair and preparation for cold weather should start now before the cold blast of winter air arrives. Check all windows and doors for leaks with special devices found in hardware stores.  A candle or cigarette lighter also works to check for air leaks. Caulk leaky window areas and add padding around the door frame. Run ceiling fans in the opposite direction to move cold air up and warm air down. Use the schedule function on thermostats as it saves electricity.

Fall is a great season to sleep with windows open a bit to enjoy the cooler air at night. If at all possible, it is also nice to open the doors and let fresh in and stale air out. This is assuming there are screen doors to keep closed.

Another way to save money on fall and winter household expenses is to bring out all holiday decorations and sort through them. Throw old ratty decorations and take stock of what is left and usable. Be creative and put Halloween costumes together from what wardrobe in the closet.  Dig deep. There may be some goodies in there!

Everyone likes to dress up for Halloween

US Media Studios Examines Strategies to Cut Healthcare Costs

Health care is getting more expensive every day. Employees are paying more for health care than they were in previous years. Fortunately, there are thrifty strategies to help cut health care costs, as US Media Studios relays.

Stash Some Cash

One of the most effective methods of reducing the personal cost of health care is to contribute to a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HAS). Both of these savings plans offer employees a way to contribute pre-tax dollars into the accounts to be later used for prescriptions, co-pays, medical equipment, and the like. But there are differences in each plan to note:

The money in an FSA cannot be rolled over at the end of the employer’s health coverage. It must be used before the next pre-enrollment period begins. So, you use it or lose it.

The money put in an HSA is the employee’s to keep no matter where they go. However, the health care plan must be a high deductible one in order to qualify for this savings.

Another caveat is that some employer-paid health care plans do not offer either savings option.  But if they do, take one. Savings average about 30 percent.

Save on Prescriptions

Research and compare the price of prescriptions within your geographical area with GoodRX.com. This site shows you differences in prices for one prescription within a zip code range. People who have to pay out of pocket for prescriptions could find price comparison shopping advantageous.

Additional Ways to Reduce Health Care Costs

Warehouse clubs like Costco and BJ’s can be beneficial when consumers want to save money. 

Get a 90 day supply of the prescription because it saves money in the long run.

US Media Studios suggests looking into The Partnership for Prescription Assistance, a free service that helps consumers get access to needed prescriptions.

Community centers offer free health checks once a month. Drug stores provide low cost vaccinations.

There are many ways to save on health care costs. We hope these suggestions are helpful.

US Media Studios Relays Benefits of Health-Related Apps

The American Heart Association found that people who used health-related mobile apps or Internet-based applications were more effective in engaging a healthier lifestyle, including increased physical activity than those who did not.

How Apps Boost Health

There are 640 million adults and 110 million children who are obese in the world. In the U.S., roughly a third of adults and children weight more than they should. Overweight people are at a higher risk of health and chronic health problems. Mobile and Internet apps have proven to help people adopt a healthier lifestyle, and add more physical activity to daily schedules. The AHA study reviewed studies from 1999 to 2013 to evaluate the effects of using the Internet, mobile phones, stand-alone software tools and wearable devices, and the effect they have on personal health. Researchers found that those who used mobile-based programs were more likely to increase daily physical activity than those who didn’t use a mobile app.

Wear It and Move It

Wearable devices that measure and relay how much physical activity someone does are also effective in improving health, US Media Studios relays. The more specific or personalized the message, the better than chances of engaging in a healthier daily diet and adding exercise to the day or week. Most people who use wearable devices regularly exercise, even if it is to just take the stairs more often. The AHA study also relays that self-monitoring and goal-setting programs with multiple methods of communication messaging were effective, and results were better when there was some level of communication with health care providers. While there may be some people who scoff at purchasing a wearable health-related device, there are benefits to it such as monitoring daily physical activity and water intake, as well as measuring and recording overall health objectives. 

US Media Studios Relays FDA Finding on Antibacterial Products

What cleans hands better than soap and water?

The FDA Findings

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, (FDA), recently published its findings on the effectiveness of antibacterial soaps. In its report, the federal agency found that among several ingredients in antibacterial soaps, triclosan and triclocarban are not more effective than using soap and water to wash hands. Then two named ingredients are intended to be used with water, and rinsed off. Manufacturers of over-the-counter antibacterial products which include those two ingredients are now no longer permitted to market them as such. The FDA also states that manufacturers of products with those ingredients have not proven that that they are safe for long term use, nor any more effective than using soap and water.

Cold and Flu Season, Schools, Workplaces

US Media Studios long believes that the most effective way to prevent the spread of germs in commonly populated spaces, and when germs are most likely to be spread, is to wash hands regularly with warm water and soap. No special soap is needed as most are effective in killing germs. Schools and workplaces, where more people are located and congregate, should consider antibacterial soaps with regular soap dispensers and running hot water.

If soap is not available, and hot water is not provided, a hand sanitizer product with 60 percent alcohol is recommended, such as disposable wipes and hand gels. Washing hands is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Other methods of germ prevention is cleaning desks, telephones, doorknobs, lunch and break room tables and other objects with a germ-killing solution or spray.

Nothing cleans hands better than soap and water. Read more on the topic here. 

US Media Studios Relays Hack-Proof Tips

Who better to learn about hacking tricks that work other than those that are paid well to do it for some of the world’s biggest corporations? US Media Studios relays hack-proof tips for all users.

The Internet-of-Things and Social Media

Many people spend a great deal of time on the Internet and on social media sites every day. Yet, the most cunning hackers can break into the digital coding or a newer vehicle through the Internet and take control of it. The same can happen anything digitally connected in the home or office.

Social media sites are also easy for hackers using phishing schemes to gain personal and financial information about users. A hacking team announced, at a recent convention, it created a bot than can phish social media users and their interests, and send a catered post or message. The social media user believes the post or message to be authentic, clicks it and the hacker has their personal information. It pays to be careful what links we click on when perusing social sites.

Chip and PIN Cards

US Media Studios has read many reports about the hazards of using this new technology. It is usually touted as the safest way to use a credit or debit card. In reality, the card readers can be easily tampered with and financial data stolen.

Public Wi-Fi

Any business that offers public Wi-Fi where every guest or customer has access to the same log in credentials is opening up those people to a potential hack attack. Instead of using it, find a private Wi-Fi source through a wireless provider or something small and convenient and use that.

Safeguard your personal and financial data from hackers.

US Media Studios with a Consumer Report on Buying Used Cars

How much research should a consumer do before buying a used car?

Consumer Research

We can search for and read consumer reviews from several good websites such as Edmunds and Cars.com about the year, make and model of a car. We can spend hours evaluating those reviews. These reviews are generally frank and to the point. It is the consumer’s opinion about the specific vehicle, after reading reviews, if that vehicle is reliable or not. For instance, a consumer can read 10 reviews on one review site and five are positive and five are negative.  He or she can also read 10 reviews on another review website where six are positive and four are negative. That’s 20 consumer reviews read. Which reviews should the consumer believe? And should the consumer search for even more information about the vehicle, such as recalls for the vehicle, known mechanical issues for the vehicle? How many consumers do that? It is the consumer’s choice to spend the time to do that or not.

The Used Car Dealer’s Responsibility

Used car dealers have a responsibility too. When a dealer takes in a used car, they should take the time and expense to be sure that vehicle is operable and safe. All defects should be clearly noted on the vehicle’s documentation. US Media Studios has heard dealers’ standard reply “we wouldn’t sell you an unsafe car because we know it means possible lawsuits or the return of the vehicle.” In that case, why even put the vehicle up for sale if it could mean possible litigation or return of the vehicle? It is far easier and more profitable for the used car salesperson to sell a vehicle with open recalls and known defects and make commission than steer a consumer away from an unsafe, unreliable vehicle.  It is their innate responsibility to know everything about that vehicle. If a consumer expresses an interest with the vehicle, wouldn’t it be wise to do more than make cosmetic and cheap fixes, such as replacing windshield wipers? Would it be too expensive and time consuming to check the tire pressure, run it through a thorough mechanical and safety evaluation, before selling it to a consumer?

Bottom Line

There are two parties in a vehicle sale: consumer and dealer. Both parties should be transparent about the plusses and minuses of the vehicle of choice. No one wants to see a driver or passenger injured or killed due to faulty parts in the sold vehicle. That said, each US state also needs to step up and enact specific laws to protect consumers from bad car sales. A consumer’s life is more valuable the dealer’s profits. CBS News has a great article on car sales in Florida, and the link for the National HighwayTraffic Safety Administration to search before buying a used car is very useful.