How to Prevent and Avoid Swine Flu
Avoid Contracting and Transmitting the H1N1 Flu Virus
Nov 3, 2009
The "second wave" of the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, appeared in North America early in the fall of 2009. Here is a summary of the most up-to-date advice available from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about how to avoid swine flu:
- Those who can be vaccinated against H1N1 are recommended to do so as soon as they are able, according to the best advice from public health programs in their own communities.
- Wash hands often with soap and hot water, especially after contact with other people. Take as long as it takes to sing a song like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” or the ABC song. Don’t forget both sides of the hands, between fingers and under fingernails. If no soap and water are available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as much as possible.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Follow the advice of local health authorities regarding special measures like school closures or travel advisories.
How to Protect Others from Swine Flu
It is also important to protect those around you from the virus. Here are some tips for avoiding the spread of H1N1:
- Cover nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and dispose of the tissue immediately. If no tissue is available, sneeze into your sleeve.
- If signs of illness occur, stay home from work, school and other gatherings until at least 24 hours after all signs of a fever are gone.
Myths About Ways to Spread 2009 H1N1 Virus
While it’s important to be cautious about spreading the H1N1 virus through hand-to-hand contact, people who want to avoid catching and transmitting swine flu can relax about a few things, like eating meat from pigs and drinking tap water.
- Some people believe swine flu can be transmitted by eating pork, but this is not true. Pork and pork products that have been properly handled and cooked do not carry the virus.
- Although formal scientific research has not yet proved that normal drinking water treatment processes destroy the H1N1 virus, normal tap water chlorination has been shown to eliminate risk from H5N1 (avian influenza, or “bird flu”).Furthermore, there have been no known cases of H1N1 infection through treated drinking water, so there is not thought to be any danger of catching H1N1 by drinking treated drinking water.
- Similarly, there is currently no reason to believe that H1N1 can be transmitted through contact with normally treated water in swimming pools, water parks, fountains or splash pads. The risk in these environments would be the same as the risk in any area with similar chances of person-to-person contact.
For more information, contact your local health authorities. If H1N1 infection is suspected, consult an appropriate medical professional promptly.
Source:
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 2009 H1N1 Flu
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