Problem: Article: Check to see if the gums around your tooth have become red, swollen, and sensitive. You may notice a gum boil, a pimple-like formation on the gum near the infected tooth and up to the root. You may also be able to see white pus in the sore or around the tooth the pus is actually what causes the pain because it puts pressure on your tooth and gums. When the pus begins to drain, your pain will subside some. Bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth is another give away. This is directly related to the build-up of pus. If your tooth is severely infected, pus may begin to drain from the tooth or from a gum-boil into your mouth. It may happen suddenly, in a rupture of the abscess, and it will taste metallic or sour. It will also smell bad. Avoid swallowing the pus. An infected tooth can change in color from a yellow to a dark brown or grey color. This change is caused by the death of the pulp inside of your tooth, namely a "bruising" from dying blood cells. The dead pulp will emit toxic products, like anything that decays, that will reach up to the surface of your tooth through the porous passageways in your tooth. A tooth infection may well spread to adjoining areas of the body, especially if you have let it go untreated. For example, the infection can affect your jaw, sinuses, or the lymph glands under your jaw or in your neck. These latter may swell, feel tender, or be too painful to touch. While any tooth abscess is serious and needs treatment, please seek medical attention immediately if you have an infection that spreads. Because it is close to vital organs notably your brain such an infection can easily become life-threatening. Your body can react to an infection by raising your internal body temperature, causing you to run a fever. Normal body temperature can range from 97 to 99F (36.1 to 37.2C). A fever is usually a reading over 100.4F (38C). Along with fever, you may also develop chills, headache, or a feeling of nausea. You may feel weak and become dehydrated, so be sure to drink water. Seek medical attention if your fever continues to rise or does not respond to medication, or if you run a temperature of over 103F (39.4C) for several days.
Summary: Look for swelling or discharge of pus. Note any tooth discoloration. Check for swollen neck glands. Beware of fever.

Problem: Article: If you want to check on the status of your local water, contact the local water utility company or the local government authorities. Start by looking at your water bill for a number to contact the water company. You can also contact the city or town hall about reports on local water quality. You can also try calling the local health department. When you talk to someone from the local water authority, you need to know the right questions to ask. You can ask basic questions, like is there fluoride added to the water and when was the last time the EPA tested the water. You can also ask if they use any other disinfectants than chlorine. You can ask about the source of the water. Groundwater is generally cleaner due to the natural filtering from the soil. Surface water has a tendency to pick up more pollutants. If they tell you that the EPA has tested the water, ask for the results. You can also ask for a copy of the test results since by law they have to provide you with information about water contaminants. If you cannot get any information from your local water authorities, you can try contacting the EPA. You can look up your local city's "Consumer Confidence Report." You may also contact the EPA safe drinking water hotline at 1-800-426-4791. You may also contact the EPA via their online form found here. You can also email the EPA at hotline-sdwa@epamail.epa.gov. If you have well water, or you are concerned about your community's water, you can test it yourself. Only send your water to a state and EPA-certified laboratory. You can find approved labs by contacting the EPA hotline. The cost of testing the water ranges from $25 to $100, depending on the thoroughness of your test.
Summary: Contact your local water source. Ask questions about your water quality. Contact the EPA. Test your water.

Problem: Article: If you're still in secondary school, let your teacher know Groundhog Day is coming a few days in advance. Let them know how much you enjoy Groundhog Day, and ask them if you can learn about Groundhog Day as a class. Your teacher might even plan some fun Groundhog Day festivities, like making Groundhog Day crafts or watching Punxsutawney Phil on TV together. If you'd like, ask your teacher if you could bring a Groundhog Day-themed to treat, like groundhog-shaped cookies or Groundhog Day cupcakes. Some cities in North America have their own Groundhog Day celebrations. Depending on the town, they might have a parade, town festival, or live animal shows celebrating Groundhog Day. Contact your city government to find out about Groundhog Day festivities for times and locations. All is not lost if your city doesn't celebrate Groundhog Day. Celebrate it with your loved ones or visit a city that has special events. Groundhog lodges are clubs in Pennsylvania that preserve German immigrant culture. Dozens of groundhog lodges across the state celebrate Groundhog Day with food, games, speech, and songs. Look for a lodge closest to you, and join in on their celebrations. Because groundhog lodges seek to preserve the dying Pennsylvania German dialect, speeches will often be given in this language. Besides watching Phil leave his burrow, Punxsutawney also hosts an entire weekend of festivities. In the morning, town citizens gather for an annual breakfast. A celebration tent in the center of town hosts fun activities, like a cornhole tournament and top hat decorating contest. Then, in the evening, you can join the Groundhog Ball at the local country club. In the off-season, Punxsutawney also hosts a wine festival where Punxsutawney Phil makes a special appearance.
Summary: Ask your teacher if you can celebrate Groundhog Day in class. Look for local festivities happening in your city. Check out a groundhog lodge festival. Visit Punxsutawney's annual celebration.

Problem: Article: If your clothing is white, you can rub white wine over it. When you want to get rid of the smell, simply hand-wash the cotton. Mix a paste of equal increments tartar cream and water. Rub the paste into the fabric as you would any other treatment. This mixture should help moisten the fabric and gradually bleach the stain away. First, soak the fabric in water to help maintain a soft texture for the affected spot. Next, apply any solvent material (such as kerosene) to the stained area. Let the solvent soak in. Then, wash the stain with a standard bar soap. Rub the stain with bar soap until it is gone. The solvent should ease removal without damaging the material. If you apply detergent immediately, it can harm the material due to its harsh chemical composition. If your cotton is white, you can use bleach. Otherwise, look for cleaning products that do not harm the material.
Summary:
Try rubbing white wine into the fabric. Use cream of tartar and water. Use a solvent and bar soap. Use commercial fabric cleaners.