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Tips for Preventing Swine Flu
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SWINE FLU (H1N1) VIRUS AWARENESS
Rick Faulkner, Vice-President of Risk Control for CHSI Nevada, provides this information for self-insured group members:
What is Swine Flu and How Does it Spread?
Swine Flu is a Type A influenza virus that spreads between people in the same way that regular seasonal flu spreads – person to person. Transmission through sneezing, and coughing, or by touching something that has the flu virus and after touching one’s mouth, nose or eyes. It is called Swine Flu because it is a respiratory disease of pigs that enters the human population.
What Are the Symptoms of Swine Flu?
The symptoms are similar to seasonal flu: fever, lethargy, coughing and poor appetite. Some people with swine flu will also have runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.Children may have trouble breathing or rapid breathing. They may withdraw or have trouble waking up. They may have a bluish skin color, or a rash with fever. They may not want to be held or to drink fluids. Children can have flu like symptoms that improve, but then return at a higher level, accompanied by fever and cough.Adults may experience: difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, and severe or persistent vomiting.
What Steps Can I Take to Help From Getting the Swine Flu?
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommends hand washing and hand sanitizing with an alcohol-based hand rub to minimize the spread of germs during an illness outbreak. The CDC also recommends:
- Covering your nose and month with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Throwing the tissue in the trash after use.
- Washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing and sneezing.
- Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
What Should I Do if I Become Ill?
If you get sick, stay home from work, school or public places and limit contact with other people to keep from infecting them.
Contact your primary health care physician and avoid going to an Emergency Room or Urgent Care Center unless you are critically ill.
For more information on swine flu (both in English and Spanish), log on to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website has good information for individuals on protecting themselves against swine flu. Their website is www.ready.gov.
Call the CHSI Solutions Hotline at (866) 521-2474 with questions or e-mail Rick at rfaulkner@chsi-nv.com
