Here are 7 H1N1 swine flu “don’ts” — things not to do for swine flu prevention.
1. Don’t panic.
First please keep your cool. Yes the Swine flu is a pandemic, however, it’s been a “moderate” pandemic, according to WHO and the CDC.
While it could get harsher it actually seems to be moderating somewhat.
The overwhelming majority of patients experience mild symptoms and do make a complete recovery within a 1 week, most often without any form of medical treatment.
It is known that pregnant women and people with underlying health conditions are at higher risk for complications. People in these groups should be taking greater precautions.
2. Don’t get complacent.
While we do not want to panic we also should not shrug off H1N1 swine flu precautions. The H1N1 swine flu virus is still around, and the CDC expects more hospitalizations and more deaths from the swine flu virus but still at the normal rate of seasonal flu.
Here are the CDC’s tips for reducing swine flu infection:
Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or sneeze and cough into your elbow — not your hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze or are in any public places. Use an alcohol-based hand cleaner or sanitized wipes.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Stay home if you are sick until 24 hours after you have been free of fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more, or signs of fever, without using fever-reducing medicines.
Just use common sense.
Patients in real need of treatment, very high temperatures, difficult breathing etc should seek rapid emergency care.
3. Don’t count on a face mask to prevent H1N1 swine flu infection.
Information is not clear on how effective face masks are at preventing the transmission of the H1N1 or seasonal influenza viruses. The same is true for N95 respirators worn snugly over the face as filters.
The CDC doesn’t recommend face masks or respirators in most settings to avoid catching swine flu, except if you’re at high risk of severe illness from influenza and are caring for someone who has a flu-like illness, or for high-risk people who can’t avoid being in a crowded setting where the swine flu virus is present.
But the CDC does recommend that sick people wear a face mask to avoid spreading their illness if they must be in close contact with other people. However, don’t rely on a face mask as your only protection — you still need to take other swine flu prevention steps:
If you do wear a face mask, don’t reuse it. Face masks should be worn once and then thrown out.
4. Don’t hold or attend a H1N1 swine flu party. This is really a dumb idea!
The guest of honor at a H1N1 swine flu party is someone who’s currently got swine flu. The idea is for other guests to catch the virus in the hopes that they’ll have a mild case and gain immunity so that they won’t get sick if the H1N1 swine flu virus strengthens.
That’s a bad idea because there’s no way to know whether swine flu will be severe or fatal in H1N1 swine flu party guests — or anyone else that they come in contact with and infect.
5. Don’t forget to clean up – Good Housekeeping.
Flu viruses can linger on books, toys, countertops, doorknobs, phones, linens, eating utensils, and other objects. Use a household disinfectant, following the directions on the products’ label. Have sanitary wipes alwaysresent in the house or with you at all times. Clean surfaces immediately.
If you are laundering linens of someone who has the H1N1 swine flu, do not hug the laundry before washing them. Also set the clothes dryer to the hot setting. Wash your hands with soap and water (or use an alcohol-based hand gel) immediately after handling dirty laundry. Again use sanitized wipes.
6. Don’t leave home if you’ve got flu-like symptoms, please stay put.
Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue; diarrhea and vomiting may also be symptoms of H1N1 swine flu.
Unless you’re going to get medical care, stay home to avoid infecting others. That means not going to work or school, not running your normal errands, and not traveling. You will help prevent other people from getting sick by staying home.
How long do you need to stay home? It is recommended waiting until at least 24 hours after you are free of fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit, or signs of fever, without taking fever-reducing medicines.
Teach your children swine flu prevention.
Children need to do the same things as adults — stay home when sick, avoid sick people, cough and sneeze into a tissue, and wash their hands.
Teach your children to wash their hands for 20 to 30 seconds with warm water.
7. Don’t allow yourself or your children to get run down. Get plenty of sleep and keep your immune system strong. Too little sleep or poor quality sleep weakens the immune system, leaving the body more susceptible to disorders. During sleep we ‘re-charge’ – so it’s important to try and get 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
Yes the H1N1 Swine Flu is out there just as the normal seasonal flu is there. Please just use common sense in the things you do. Do not let the media put you into a panic.
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