What Can I Do?
With the massive media coverage it has received, H1N1 seems to be everywhere. You’ve even overheard family, friends, and co-workers talking about it. So how do you keep you and your family safe from this harmful virus?
Education is your best defense. The more you know, the better you’ll be able to protect yourself and your family from the H1N1 virus or any other harmful germs. Here are some general germ protection tips.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. To make sure you’ve spent enough time washing away germs, don’t stop until you’ve finished reciting the alphabet or singing “Happy Birthday.” Then repeat throughout the day. Clean hands are your best germ protection and defense.
• To avoid spreading the virus, sneeze or cough into the inside of your elbow, which is as effective as covering your nose and mouth. And it doesn’t place germs on the part of your body that comes into contact with others. Share this technique with your family.
• See your family doctor as soon as you, or a member of your family, exhibit flu symptoms. In most cases, symptoms of the flu are not so severe that you need to visit the Emergency Room. Keep in mind that you will be at a greater risk of infection if you visit a hospital, instead of your doctor, for treatment.
• Avoid unnecessary contact with friends, family, and co-workers who are sick or feeling ill. Stay home if you are sick for seven days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours...whichever is longer. This will keep you from infecting others and spreading the virus.
• If you are infected, stay home from work, keep your children home from school, and avoid all travel. Determine how necessary plane travel may be until the virus is contained or the vaccine is readily available in your area.
Educating yourself, like you’ve just done, has another benefit. It will help you stay calm, which will in turn help you remember these tips. If you have more questions, check out the rest of our H1N1 Flu Center or call your doctor.