How to Avoid H1N1 Infection

The H1N1 flu is now at emergency levels, and H1N1 infection has sickened tens of thousands of people in the United States and Worldwide. H1N1, otherwise called swine flu, is an extremely contagious virus that has been responsible for over 1000 deaths in the U.S. At least 100 of these deaths have been among children. It is imperative that you protect yourself against H1N1 infection to ensure you do not contract or transmit this deadly virus. Symptoms of the swine flu include fever over 101, chills, fatigue, and lack of appetite.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Wash Your Hands
   Wash your hands and use antibacterial hand sanitizer at all times to avoid H1N1 infection. Pay special attention to fingers and underneath the nails where viruses can linger. A good hand washing may take up to a few minutes. If you touch a doorknob, public pen, toilet handle, or any other surface that is used by the general public, wash or sanitize your hands. If you work with children or in the hospital environment in particular you should wash and sanitize your hands constantly to avoid swine flu.

2. Talk to Your Doctor
   Tell your doctor to wash his/her hands, and be sure he/she does it. A recent study has shown that less than 10% of doctors wash their hands regularly. Hospitals and doctors offices are breeding grounds for viruses and bacteria, including the swine flu virus. Be sure your doctor, nurse or other health care practitioner takes great care with their hand washing, and have them wear gloves as well if possible to avoid H1N1 infection.

3. Do Not Shake Hands
   Do not shake hands or greet by kissing. The H1N1 virus can be passed by direct contact, so by shaking someone's hand or kissing them you could easily transmit swine flu to yourself. If you must shake hands, cleanse as soon as possible with soap and water or a hand sanitizer. Swine flu can live on surfaces for 48 hours or more, so avoid touching surfaces and then putting your hands to your face as well.

4. Get the Vaccine
   Get vaccinated if possible. The swine flu vaccine has now been approved and is available, however there may not be enough to vaccinate everyone. The most at risk populations, including pregnant women, children, teenagers and health care workers are first in line to receive H1N1 vaccinations.

5. Avoid Public Places
   Traveling in airplanes has not been shown to be any more dangerous than any other place for swine flu infection, however, if you are in a confined space, it may increase your chances of contracting the swine flu due to the inability to escape people who are coughing or sneezing. The H1N1 infection is transmitted through coughs and sneezes, so avoid people who are obviously sick and showing symptoms of illness.

6. Take Tamiflu
   If you get sick with the H1N1, swine flu virus, get to your doctor immediately to get either Tamiflu or Relenza, the antiviral drugs that can lessen swine flu symptoms. If you can get help within 36 hours, you are more likely to suffer decreased effects of the H1N1 virus. Stay home for at least a few days after fever has broken to ensure you do not pass infection. Recent studies have shown that swine flu can live in nasal passages longer than previously thought.

[fortunate]

on 11/11/2009 Very informative article! 5*!