Greetings! Preparing for flu season this fall is going to be a full time task for everyone. School is back in session and we must be more vigilant to prevent the spread of both the seasonal flu and the Novel H1N1 flu. I cannot stress enough the importance of
PREVENTIVE MEASURES such as the ones listed below:
The same steps you take to prevent the common cold and seasonal flu apply when trying to prevent H1N1 (swine flu). The following are some general steps a family can take:
1.Wash hands often with soap and water or use waterless, alcohol-based hand rubs.
2. Cover the nose and mouth with a handkerchief or tissue when sneezing or coughing.
3. Avoid touching the eyes, mouth, and nose, when coughing or sneezing.
4. Keep children home from school, day care or other social gatherings if they are sick.
5. Stay home from work or other public settings if you are sick.
6. Avoid crowded places where people are confined in an indoor space.
Recognizing the signs of the flu:
-Fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, Chills, Cough, Headache, Sore throat, Stuffy nose, Muscle aches, Diarrhea and vomiting have been reported by some people.
Steps to take if you develop flu-like symptoms :Since the severity of H1N1 is similar to seasonal flu, people who are sick with H1N1 (swine flu) should do the same things they would do if sick with seasonal flu:
· 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 have a fever, difficulty breathing, a cough, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, you should talk with a health care provider by telephone.
· Your health care provider will determine whether testing or treatment is needed.
· Before visiting a health care setting, tell the provider about your symptoms.
Do not travel or go to work or school while sick, and limit your contact with others as much as possible to help prevent the spread of illness.