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How to Prevent Swine Flu
Swine flu commonly characterised by flu like symptoms is spreading across the world rampantly. A lack of vaccines and the inability of the available antivirus medications such as tamiflu to treat the affected individuals have left everybody in a confused state of mind. In situations like this where an exact cure is not known it is always better to equip ourselves with correct preventive steps. Thankfully there are a few simple steps that can be followed to minimise the risk of getting infected by the swine flu. |
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Swine flu symptoms
- High fever
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Body ache
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
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Hand Washing/Hand Care
This is quite important. The swine flu virus from an infected person can stay active for up to 2-8 hours. It may have settled on the floor, the door knob, table, cup or many other similar places. Follow these simple steps to prevent yourself from getting infected by the virus left behind on your desk a few hours ago!
- Avoid touching your mouth or nose repeatedly
- Keep an alcohol based rub handy; use it to rub on your hands after touching susceptible objects such as a door knob
- Wash hands with a soap if they are quite dirty or before having food
Coughing Etiquette
Coughing can release water droplets that carry different types of virus or bacteria into the air. Simple etiquettes given below can keep you and people near you safe.
- Cover your mouth with your hand, shirt sleeve, hand kerchief or a tissue while coughing
- If you are suffering from swine flu then preferable to use disposable tissues (don’t forget to dispose then off properly after use)
- Wash your hand with soap or use a alcohol based hand rub to disinfect your hand
Sneezing Etiquette
Sneezing can release water droplets that carry different types of virus or bacteria into the air at a much faster speed than coughing. Simple etiquettes given below can keep you and people near you safe.
- Cover your mouth with your hand, shirt sleeve, hand kerchief or a tissue while sneezing
- If you are suffering from swine flu then preferable to use disposable tissues (don’t forget to dispose then off properly after use)
- Wash your hand with soap or use a alcohol based hand rub to disinfect your hands
Mask
There are two basic questions with the use of mouth mask: who should wear a mouth mask and what type of mouth mask can protect us from the swine flu virus.
Who should Wear a Mouth Mask?
Mouth mask should be worn:
- If you are suffering (or suspect that you are suffering) from swine flu
- If you are taking care of a person infected with swine flu
- If you are visiting an area where swine flu is rampant
- As a general preventive measure if you are worried greatly
What Type of Mouth Mask to Wear?
Ideally certain specialised mouth masks known as N95 or N100 particle respirators can provide 100% protection against the air borne viruses. However, these masks are costly and work effectively only if the filters are changed at prescribed intervals.
Other options? You can use surgical disposable masks, cloth masks or any clean cloth. While they may not provide you 100% protection, they may be able to prevent you from getting infected to a certain extent.
General Mask Care
- Dispose the disposable masks after a single use
- Wash the cloth masks or clothes used as mask with soap and water at the end of the day or after coming home from outside
- Ensure that the mask fits snugly around your nose and mouth
- Do not touch your mouth mask once you have worn it until and unless you are going to remove it
- Wash your hands with soap or apply a alcohol based rub after removing the mask or washing it
General Measures
- If you suspect that you have been infected by swine flu, wear a mask and contact your nearest doctor or designated check up centres
- Mild cases of swine flu can be treated at home provided the doctor permits you to do so
- Stay at home or hospital until the symptoms of swine flu resolve completely; might take about a week to 10 days
- Cover your mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing
- Avoid visiting crowded places; wear a mask if you need to do so
- Keep your windows open and let the fresh air circulate in the rooms
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Latest News On Swine Flu
The medical board, formed to monitor swine flu situation in Kurigram, will examine the infected and other students of the district's nursing training institute tomorrow. Mukhter Ali, a medicine consultant at Kurigram sadar hospital, will lead the team.
The H1N1 influenza pandemic in 2009 grabbed headlines under the unfortunate moniker “swine flu.” In the ensuing panic, countries banned imports of U.S. pork and American citizens also shunned pork, believing it to be dangerous. Eventually th ...
Publ.Date : Sat, 19 May 2012 21:38:30 GMT
Andrew Allan arrived at Northam Hospital on September 16, 2010, with a 40 degree fever, vomiting and struggling to breathe. CCTV footage shows him being held up by his mother, barely able to walk, before collapsing into a couch. He was given a Panadol by a ...
BRADENTON, Fla., May 2, 2009 -- About six months before the H1N1 'swine flu' virus broke out, an immigrant from Bangladesh began selling food on the streets of Mexico City. Shortly before his own death, the food vendor was visited by his brother, who ...
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