How to Prevent Getting the H1N1 Flu

Four Key Tips to Help You Keep Safe from the Swine (H1N1) Influenza

May 4, 2009 Kirsti A. Dyer

Everyone is concerned about the latest influenza, also known as the H1N1 Flu or Swine Flu. There are simple things one can do to minimize your chance of getting the flu.

The recent outbreak and extensive news coverage of the Swine Flu (now called the H1N1 Flu or the Novel H1N1 Flu) has a lot of people very nervous and concerned that they might catch the Swine Flu.

At this point, even though the WHO has labeled the outbreak as a Phase 5 (spread of disease between humans is occurring in more than one country of one WHO region) it appears that people should be concerned, alert and informed but not alarmed.

The best advice at this point for coping with the swine flu is to get informed, find out if you are in a group at risk and then learn what steps can be taken to prevent or minimize one's chance of getting the H1N1 influenza.

Getting Educated and Staying Informed about the Flu

With so much news coverage about the H1N1 it is important to turn to reputable sources of information for updates. Agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), PandemicFlu.gov and the World Health Organization (WHO) and organizations like the American Medical Association along with reputable news agencies are good choices for getting reliable information.

Facts About the H1N1 or Swine Flu

Understanding a few facts from the CDC about influenza can help in preventing or minimizing one's chances of getting the H1N1 Virus:

• Even though it was first called the swine flu, the H1N1 virus is spread person-to-person.
• Influenza or the flu is spread by the cough or sneeze of infected people.
• Finding ways to reduce contact with the virus by washing hands and covering coughs helps to significantly decrease the spread of the virus.
• Further studies have shown that the new virus H1N1 is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs.
• The virus has been renamed the H1N1 flu and is now formerly known as the swine flu.
• Many people who get the flu are better in a couple of days.

Groups at Risk for Getting the H1N1 Flu

With the normal seasonal flu, certain groups of people have a higher risk of experiencing serious flu-related complications; those who have compromised immune systems. These groups include infants and young children, pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions and people 65 and older. There is also concern that the H1N1 flu may result in a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions, often seen in the elderly.

At this time it is unknown whether these certain groups of people are at greater risk of getting the flu or experiencing more serious flu-related complications from infection with the H1N1 virus.

Four Key Tips for Avoiding the H1N1 or Swine Flu

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends some simple, everyday actions to prevent getting the Swine Flu.

1. Wash Your Hands.
2. Cover Your Cough.
3. Don't Touch Your Face.
4. Stay Away from People Who are Sick.

The CDC also recommends that people stay home from work or school and limit contact with others if they do become sick. Contact should be limited for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This last step will keep from infecting others and spreading the virus.

Traveling and the Flu

At this point the CDC has NOT recommended that people avoid domestic travel. They have recommended that U.S. travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico.

As of May 1, 2009 The WHO (World Health Organization) put no restrictions on travel. Based on their experience with prior outbreaks, the WHO feels that limiting travel and imposing travel restrictions would have little effect on stopping the virus from spreading, but limiting travel would have a highly disruptive effect on to the global community. For these reasons they are *not* recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A (H1N1) virus.

Remember Prevention and Staying Healthy are Key

In addition to the key tips outlined above one can minimize the chance of the virus becoming a full blown flu by making sure to eat a healthy diet, get enough sleep, exercise and watch stress levels. Making sure one's body is healthy is key to warding off any infection.

Minimizing contact with the virus and preventing transmission or preventing other people from getting the virus are key to minimizing the spread of the H1N1 virus.This can be done by covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands frequently and effectively and avoiding or minimizing contact with people who are sick.

More:

Dyer KA. 2008. How to Wash Your Hands and Not Spread Germs. Suite 101.

Dyer KA. 2008. How to Cough and Not Spread Germs. Suite 101.

The copyright of the article How to Prevent Getting the H1N1 Flu in General Medicine is owned by Kirsti A. Dyer. Permission to republish How to Prevent Getting the H1N1 Flu in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Stay Home when sick!	H1N1 Virus	Wash Your Hands
Cover Your Cough