Disclaimer: This information is provided with no guarantee in accuracy. Please consult your doctor for instruction in treating and avoiding flu. I am not responsible for illness, injury, or harm incurred as a result of the information in this web site. I am not a doctor.
The threat of a new illness can be stressful. While the situation is serious, it is important to remember that so far, the majority of the cases of human H1N1 (Swine Flu) infection have resolved with out major incident. The majority of the cases that have proven fatal have occurred in less developed nations whose health care systems are not as advanced as that of the U.S. This is not to say that our situation doesn't bear watching, it's just important that we don't panic or overreact. With that in mind remember, there is a lot to be said for disease prevention. To that end I have compiled the following list of tips from the CDC to help you stay healthy during the flu season.
Preventing Infection
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Keeping your Family Healthy
Flu viruses spread from person to person mainly through the coughing or sneezing of a sick person. Flu virus may also be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with the virus and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. We think H1N1 (swine flu) spreads the same way as other flu viruses. Right now, there is no vaccine to protect against H1N1 (swine flu), but there are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like H1N1 (swine flu):
- Teach your children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.
- Teach your children to cough and sneeze into a tissue or into the inside of their elbow. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.
- Teach your children to stay at least six feet away from people who are sick.
- Children who are sick should stay home from school and daycare and stay away from other people until they are better.
- In communities where H1N1 (swine flu) has occurred, stay away from shopping malls, movie theaters, or other places where there are large groups of people.