Things You'll Need:
- antibacterial soap
- antibacterial hand gel
- attention
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Step 1
First, recognize the symptoms of swine flu (otherwise known as H1N1 virus). Swine flu, like flu, is treatable if identified early. If you present any of the symptoms of swine flu (H1N1), get to a doctor as soon as possible. Antiviral can be used to treat swine flu, but it has to be prescribed and taken no more than 48 hours after the first symptom appears. The symptoms are similar to seasonal flu; fever, headache, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue. Some also show signs such as vomiting and diarrhea. Get to your doctor within a day of showing symptoms!
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Step 2
To help prevent the spread, you and your company should have a 'pandemic plan'. This should include non-punitive sick leave, a flexible work site (available telecommuting), and flexible shifts. Also, the workplace should have in place a plan to put any employee who is sick, is suspected of being sick, or has been around someone who is sick - onto immediate mandatory sick leave. These steps will help prevent the spread at work.
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Step 3
On a personal level, be aware at all times about who you are around and what you are touching. Wash your hands often throughout the day, after using the restroom, before eating, and after touching anything that anyone else could have touched (phones, coffee maker, refrigerator, anything!). Use hand sanitizer at any point you have touched anything public and you cannot get to a sink. Carry hand sanitizer with you in your car, purse, whatever. Use it after grocery shopping, picking your kids up from daycare, etc. Flu is actually airborne, but these practices can still help you to protect yourself from swine flu by helping eliminate the secondary contact of the virus.
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Step 4
One of the most important things to remember in order to protect others and help stop the spread of swine flu, if you think you are sick - stay home. Do not go to work, do not go out to the grocery store or to run any errands. Remember, go to the doctor's office immediately, pick up your prescription, but go straight home afterwards. Limit contact with your family if possible, sleep the guest room in your house if you have one! Always cough/sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue and immediately wash your hands. Protect yourself from swine flu by staying away from people you think could be sick. If someone at work seems ill, try to stay away from them because their coughing and sneezing will release the virus into the air. If you breathe it in, you could get the virus. Of course, this is all the same as in other colds & viruses, so it's a best practice all the way around!
Comments
livingwell4u said
on 10/17/2009 Great article, thank for these tips!
missenna said
on 7/19/2009 Thanks for these tips!
elyria said
on 5/1/2009 Great suggestions, very informative and timely!
dazedaze said
on 4/29/2009 great info....!
mickymar said
on 4/29/2009 Thanks for the tips. For many moons now I always use ''purell'' or the like for my hands when I have been in a public place. 5* !! Excellent tips!!!