How to Make Your Own H1N1 Swine Flu Combat Kit

Flu symptoms usually appear suddenly and can include the following: High Fever, Headache, Extreme Tiredness, Cough, Sore Throat, Runny Or Stuffy Nose, Body Aches, and sometimes Diarrhea and Vomiting.

Since a vaccine to help prevent the Swine Flu will not be available until mid-October, what should you do now while you are feeling fine to minimize your chances of becoming infected?

Preparing a Flu Combat Kit is a great idea. Your kit should include the following items and can be put together for around $20.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Waterless Hand Sanitizer
• Baby Wipes
• Tissues
• Hand Soap
• Over-The-Counter Flu Medications

1. Waterless Hand Sanitizer:
   The flu virus is destroyed by heat (167-212 degrees F, 75-100 degrees C) or by chemical germicides such as chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents, iodine, and alcohols. Waterless hand sanitizers contain ethyl alcohol which kills the flu virus as well as other disease-causing germs. Best of all, travel size containers of hand sanitizer are a super convenient way to keep this weapon in your flu arsenal easily at arms reach in pockets, purses, backpacks, etc.

2. Baby Wipes:
   The flu virus can survive on surfaces outside of the human body for about 8 hours. Baby wipes can be used to wipe down surfaces at home and at work. Keep your desk, phone, pens, and staplers wiped down, and especially if these items are shared by others. Also, school supplies such as lunch boxes, pencils, notebooks, etc. can be wiped down each day. Don't forget to take advantage of the free wipes that many stores provide near the cart pick-up area to wipe your hands and cart handles.

3. Tissues:
   If you do start to cough and sneeze, please use a tissue to protect others. There are even some new tissues that contain anti-viral ingredients, such as citric acid.

4. Hand Soap:
   Plain soap and water will work just fine since anti-bacterial soaps have no effect on viruses. The key here is to wash your hands for a long enough period of time to kill the virus. Health professionals keep telling us to recite the ABC's twice while washing to make sure that we are not rushing too quickly. I prefer to sing "Happy Birthday To Me" about six times out loud as this is much more satisfying and tends to amuse those around me.

5. Over-The-Counter Flu Medications:
   Nothing will "cure" the flu but medications can certainly relieve some to the pain. Waiting until you are suffering from the flu to purchase medications is not the right strategy. Once your are infected, you will not feel like driving to the pharmacist and you would also be exposing others to the virus.

Tips & Warnings

• Staying away from anyone who is suffering from the flu and staying away from those who are well when you are sick is important in preventing the spread of the flu.
• Also, to minimize your chances of getting sick (flu and otherwise) get into the habit of practicing a healthy lifestyle such as getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, eating a well-balanced diet and staying physically active (which can sometimes be hard to do in the winter flu months).
• Remember that children younger than 14 should not be given any product containing aspirin. Aspirin has been linked to an increased risk of Reye's Syndrome in this age group.

[jeni10]

on 11/6/2009 Well written and informative article on how to make your own H1N1 Swine Flu combat kit. Being prepared is so important. 5*

[jbs2212]

on 9/23/2009 very good! 5* and a recommend!