How to Survive a H1N1 Flu Pandemic

A H1N1 flu pandemic is a serious threat to individuals, families and communities around the globe. In an outbreak, as much as 50% of a given population is expected to contract the virus. Of those who contract the H1N1 flu, some will experience serious and life-threatening symptoms.

There are many steps you can take before and during a H1N1 flu pandemic to stay healthy and keep your family well.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Practice impeccable personal hygiene and share the importance of this with your family members. Learn -- and teach all household members -- thorough hand washing. Make it a habit to wash hands frequently during the day, before and after eating, using the bathroom, using a public phone or computer, or shopping. Hand washing is key to avoiding illness in a H1N1 flu pandemic.

2. Carry hand sanitizer in the car, your purse, and in the backpacks of all students in the family. Use hand sanitizer when you lack facilities to wash hands with soap and water, especially when grocery shopping or getting back into your car before touching the steering wheel.

3. Avoid touching your face, especially nose and mouth, and make it a habit to use tissues when you feel the urge to rub your eyes or nose. Teach children that the virus can enter their body through eyes, nose or mouth and protecting these entrances is one of their best defenses against a H1N1 flu pandemic.

4. Stop eating sugar and simple carbohydrates, both of which suppress your immune system. Taking sugary foods, candy and sweets out of your diet greatly increases your body's ability to defend against sickness.

5. Improve your body's ability to fight off flu viruses by improving your overall nutrition and health. Eat whole foods, as well as vitamin C, garlic and echinacea supplements, to help boost your immune system.

6. Make chicken broth from chicken bones and leftover meat, allowing the broth to simmer for several hours or even a day to increase nutritional value. Drink chicken broth regularly and at the first sign of illness, adding garlic to boost its effectiveness.

7. Stock up on flu masks, coconut water or sports drinks for hydration, as well as Vitamin C, Echinacea and garlic, before a H1N1 flu pandemic begins. Avoid the rush and the possibility of empty shelves by preparing in advance.

8. Pay attention to local news about the flu. If a H1N1 pandemic hits your community, consider pulling children out of school and activities to avoid infection. Make plans for their care and education (home tutoring for a month?) in advance.

9. Stay home as much as possible, out of the community, if a H1N1 outbreak occurs. Having a home food storage that can sustain your family for several weeks or longer is key. If you must work or go out, consider wearing gloves and a flu mask and disposing of the mask before entering your vehicle or home.

Tips & Warnings

• Save up sick and vacation days in preparation for a possible quarantine, whether it's self-imposed or mandatory.
• See Resources, below, for items that may help avoid and survive a bad flu.

Resources

• Disposable flu masks
• Flu Protection Kit
• Echinacea Goldenseal Plus
• H1N1 Symptoms

[jseven]

on 10/26/2009 Good advice for those who panic, thanks!

[yellowstar2000]

on 10/26/2009 Good article and great tips for how to survive a H1N1 flu pandemic 5*****...also check out even more with the article below:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5490704_protect-prevent-hn-swine-flu.html

[MyJB]

on 10/16/2009 These sound like useful tips and I'll certainly implement as many as possible.

[cricha]

on 9/2/2009 Good tips, thank you for the article.

[handyblog]

on 9/1/2009 thanks!