How to Prevent Swine Flu Infection

By now you've probably seen the frightening pictures from Mexico of people trying to avoid catching the swine flu infection. Unfortunately swine flu has now been confirmed in multiple locations within the United States. So far none of the individuals in the U.S. infected with swine flu have died; however, an estimated 80 Mexicans have succumbed to the swine flu infection. It is a highly contagious infection and potentially deadly. So what precautions can you easily take to prevent being infected by swine flu?

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
   How To Prevent Swine Flu Infection

   Always cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; ideally use something disposable like a tissue. Avoid touching your face, nose or mouth too frequently with your hands since swine flu appears to be transmitted through respiratory droplets in the same fashion as the common cold.

2. 
   How To Prevent Swine Flu Infection

   Wash your hands frequently with soap and water since swine flu like other viruses can be contracted by touching objects contaminated by the virus. It's unsure how long the swine flu virus can survive on surrounding surfaces.

3. 
   How To Prevent Swine Flu Infection

   Though alcohol based hand sanitizers don't routinely kill viruses they probably do offer some limited protection in preventing swine flu infections.

4. If swine flu infections have been medically confirmed in your area consider avoiding large public gatherings. Individuals can be contagious with the swine flu virus for several day before demonstrating any signs or symptoms of infection. Be particularly careful about indoor gatherings where air circulates poorly.

5. 
   How To Prevent Swine Flu Infection

   If you're really paranoid and don't mind looking odd then consider wearing a respiratory mask. This barrier method does offer some basic protection against infection though not all masks are created equally. Higher quality masks capable of filtering out some respiratory infections are more expensive.

6. 
   How To Prevent Swine Flu Infection

   If you start feeling ill with cold or flu-like symptoms do not go to work. Stay home and begin the usual home remedies for colds and flu. Contact your health care provider, local health department or hospital emergency room if your symptoms worsen or fail to improve for information about where to go to be screened for possible swine flu infection.

Resources

• How to Decide If You Need The Swine Flu Vaccine
• How to Treat Swine Flu Symptoms
• Up To Date CDC Swine Flu Information Site

[srapport]

on 9/25/2009 I am surprised nobody mentioned using modern technology to reduce exposure to groups of people whenever possible. Things like online meeting and asynchronous visual communication software allows business to be done without shaking so many hands. I encourage you to look at Pixetell for business http://www.pixetell.com, a new visual communication technology that supercharges your email and documents with visual explanations of what you’re looking at on your computer screen. Pixetell lets you sprinkle little vivid explanations within email bullet lists, spreadsheets or documents to add crystal clarity if you cannot be there in-person. It completely removes the delays imposed by web conferencing and eliminates H1N1 exposure. Here are some examples of how to use an asynchronous communication technology: http://www.ontier.com/examples.html -- now go wash your hands! :)

[Cakes]

on 9/21/2009 re surgical masks. regular surgical mask only prevents germs from going out; like from surgeon into incision. But for prevention of inbound spores u need allergy mask. both kinds are sold at medical supply.

[jenecequa]

on 9/15/2009 Thank you Dr. Leong for this valuable information.

[mickem]

on 8/2/2009 http://www.cureswineflu.info/natural-cures-for-swine-flu.html has some very good natural remedies for boosting immunity without untested drugs.

[michealcberta]

on 6/4/2009 good against the flu http://tamiflushop.us/product/tamiflu.html