What Are You Doing to Avoid the Swine Flu and Germs?

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9 Ways to Prevent Swine Flu or H1N1

There are some very simple but highly effective ways to combat flu germs and viruses.   Some are common sense and others might be new to you.

• Wear a mask
• Cover your cough with hand or a tissue or sleeve
• Don’t touch your face
• Use paper towels to open public restroom doors
• Use hand sanitizer whenever possible on shopping carts and public door knobs
• Washing your hands is most important when you plan to eat at the dining table
• Invest in packets of alcohol swabs and carry with you
• Stay away from people who are sick for a minimum of 24 hours
• Use UV-C light technology to sanitize surfaces, bedding, purses and counters at work and home

If you do get sick, stay home so you won’t pass it on to anyone else.

Additionally, if you are the one coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth with tissue.  If none is available, bend your arm and cough into your sleeve.  Be aware of what you touch;  eyes, mouth, your hair, face;  we spread germs from our hands.  You will be amazed at the amount of times we have contact with our face.

Wash and Re-wash Your Hands

We have germs on our hands before going to the bathroom, as an extra measure, washing before you go can be another positive precaution.  If soap and water is not available use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.  Rub gel on hands until the gel is dry.

The number one way to prevent the spread of germs is washing your hands for 20 seconds under running warm water. A slow count to 20 is a little over 20 seconds.  A few seconds over is good.

Watch the Hand Washing Video on our home page:  GoodChangesNowBlog

Use UV-C Light to Kill Germs

In recent times we are lucky to have the invention of  UV-C light in a portable device that kills germs.  This is the same blue light that the hospital uses, and ventilation and plumbing companies install it in hospitals.

We now have portable hand sized sanitizing devices and this UV-C technology is available to the public.  The advancements include portable sizes without losing the effective ability to kill germs and viruses by breaking the DNA so the germs and viruses cannot replicate.
UV-C light

Symptoms of Swine Flu – People Who are Most at Risk

Swine Flu Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan was quoted as saying “With today’s announcement, WHO moves from an emergency to a longer-term response. Based on past experience, this pandemic will be with us for some months, if not years, to come.”

The C.D.C. recommends that the following groups be vaccinated:

These groups need to pay attention more than most of us. We all need to be alert.

• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children under 6 months
• Health care and emergency services personnel
• Persons between the ages of 6 months – 24 years of age
• People from ages 25 – 64 years who are at higher risk for novel H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.  Especially with heart and lung problems
• Additional People who are exposed to high volumes of people, such as 1st responders, Health care professionals, city, county and Federal offices.

Source: Centers for Disease Control, July 29, 2009. CDC Advisors Make Recommendations for Use of Vaccine Against Novel H1N1.

It is important to realize that many people who have Swine Flu are better in a couple of days.

Symptoms to watch for most:

• High Fever 103% and over
• Extreme muscle and body aches.  The worst ache you have ever had.
• Headaches
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Some people have vomiting and diarrhea.

How does H1N1 Spread?

Flu viruses are generally spread from person to person and from touching something an infected person has touched.  People infected with influenza pass the germs from sneezing and coughing as well.

Warning signs signaling you to get to the hospital:     (based on CDC recommendations)

In Children:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up
• Child being so irritable does not want to be held or touched
• Flu Symptoms appear to improve then return worse with cough and fever
• Fever with a rash

In adults:

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

Once again, prevention is the best medicine.

A few best reminders and things can change for you.  The Influenza virus can survive on surfaces anywhere from 2 to 8 hours after being touched by an infected person.  Use a chemical-free sanitizer.

Maybe you can be one who avoids the handshake and are among the millions who are pulling out the hand sanitizer several times a day (17% sales increase the first week of September compared to the same period last year, according to Chicago-based research firm Information Resources).  Chicago-based research firm Information Resources).  It might be a simple tip that pays off.