SWINE FLU INFORMATION
For general information please visit
the following sites :
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/masks.htm
The Centers for Disease Control provides
the following
prevention techniques:
What can I do to protect myself from
getting sick?
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.
What is the best way to keep from spreading
the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your
contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work
or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when
coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from
getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover
your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean
your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
What is the best way to keep
from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your
contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work
or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when
coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from
getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover
your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean
your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
What is the best technique for
washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect
you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with
alcohol-based hand cleaner. We recommend that when you wash your
hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20
seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based
disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can
find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub
your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to
work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where swine influenza
cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like
symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat,
nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their
health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your
symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether
influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay home and
avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from
spreading your illness to others.
If you become ill and
experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency
medical care.
In children
emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention
include:
Fast breathing or trouble
breathing
Bluish skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not
want to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return
with fever and worse cough
Fever with a rash
In adults,
emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention
include:
Difficulty breathing or
shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
