Every year in the United States, on average, 5%-20% of the population gets the flu, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and about 36,000 people die from flu. The flu is highly infectious and is a serious viral respiratory infection. Flu vaccine is an inactivated vaccine, meaning that it contains killed influenza virus. Anyone who wishes to reduce their risk of getting the flu can be vaccinated, however the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people who are at risk for serious complications from the flu be vaccinated each year.

Mercury is a naturally occurring element found in water, soil, and the air. Mercury also is contained in some fish, some of the products we use in the home, school, or dentist. Symptoms of mercury poisoning include:

• Tremors
• Decline in cognitive function
• Weakness
• Nervousness
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Skin rashes
• Dermatitis
• Mood swings

Information about sources of mercury exposure, potential health effects, symptoms of exposure, fish that may contain mercury, consumer products that contain mercury, and ways to reduce your exposure to mercury is important for the health of you, and your family.

Many women have difficulty figuring out if they are pregnant, have PMS, or are about to start their period. The most common signs and symptoms of early pregnancy, PMS, and the start of your period include mood swings, back pain, increased urination, and tender breasts. These three conditions also share other similar signs and symptoms, but there are unique differences between each. Moreover, there are symptoms that only occur if you are pregnant.

Early pregnancy symptoms, PMS, and the start of the menstrual period all have common signs and symptoms like mood swings, back pain, and breast pain. Symptoms and signs between the three conditions that may seem similar, but are slightly different include:

• Pelvic or abdominal cramping before or during your menstrual period is normal; however, the cramping of early pregnancy is mild.
• If you are pregnant, nausea and vomiting, or morning sickness, is common. They are not common symptoms of PMS.
• Fatigue is common in both, but PMS usually goes away once your period begins.
• Food cravings or aversions to certain foods are common in both pregnancy and PMS, but if you are pregnant, the cravings or aversions to foods are more specific and intense.
• You may have spotting or bleeding if you are pregnant or suffering from PMS. When the embryo inserts itself into the uterus (implantation bleeding), you may mistake it as your menstrual period. However, implantation bleeding is much lighter (not enough to soak a pad or tampon) than the heaving bleeding experienced at the beginning of your period.

Signs and symptoms that you may have only if you are pregnant include, implantation cramping and bleeding, a white, milky vaginal discharge, and your areolas or nipples darken.

The only way to find out if you are pregnant is with a pregnancy test. Home pregnancy test kits are available without a prescription at pharmacies and most grocery stores. Contact a doctor or other health care professional if you think you may be pregnant.

Signs and symptoms of pregnancy vary by stage (trimester). The earliest pregnancy symptom is typically a missed period, but others include breast swelling and tenderness, nausea and sometimes vomiting, fatigue, and bloating.

Second trimester symptoms include backache, weight gain, itching, and possible stretch marks.

Third trimester symptoms are additional weight gain, heartburn, hemorrhoids, swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face, breast tenderness, and trouble sleeping.

Eating a healthy diet, getting a moderate amount of exercise, also are recommended for a healthy pregnancy. Information about the week by week growth of your baby in the womb are provided.

Pregnancy can bring challenges like

• weight gain,
• stretch marks,
• varicose veins,
• heartburn,
• constipation,
• hemorrhoids,
• problems sleeping, and
• wondering if it is safe to have sex while pregnant.

Learn how to manage and move through these challenges during pregnancy.

Pregnancy planning is an important step in preparation for starting or expanding a family. Planning for a pregnancy includes:

• Taking prenatal vitamins
• Eating healthy for you and your baby
• Disease prevention (for both parents and baby) to prevent birth defects and infections
• Avoiding certain medications that may be harmful to your baby
• How much weight gain is healthy
• Exercise safety and pregnancy
• Travel during pregnancy

Pregnancy symptoms can vary from woman to woman, and not all women experience the same symptoms. When women do experience pregnancy symptoms they may include symptoms include missed menstrual period, mood changes, headaches, lower back pain, fatigue, nausea, breast tenderness, and heartburn. Signs and symptoms in late pregnancy include leg swelling and shortness of breath. Options for relief of pregnancy symptoms include exercise, diet, and other lifestyle changes.

When a woman is pregnant she needs more vitamins, minerals, and other foods in her diet to stay healthy and deliver a healthy baby. A healthy pregnancy diet menu plan should consist of lots of fruits, vegetables, lean meats (unless you are vegan or vegetarian), and dairy. Examples of healthy pregnancy diet meal plans include:

• Holistic pregnancy diet
• Vegan or vegetarian diet
• Low-carb diets

Begin your healthy eating plan around three months before you begin trying to conceive, and follow the same eating plan until after you have stopped breastfeeding. If you are overweight or obese, being pregnant is not the right time to try to lose weight. Discuss your options with your health-care professional.