Prevent and Prepare for H1N1 (Swine Flu)

What is currently referred to in the media as the "swine flu" is a respiratory disease with symptoms similar to that of the familiar seasonal flu. While originally thought to originate with pigs, it has not been isolated in swine. The official name for the "swine flu" we face is A(H1N1). As of June 16, 2009, this flu outbreak is classified as a global pandemic. The term "pandemic" is not bound to a certain number of cases, but defined by human-to-human transmission in three different countries in two different WHO regions.

In the event that this flu virus becomes a pandemic, everyday life may be disrupted because many people in many places might become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts can range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery. The following steps will help you prepare for the worst case scenario.

Prevention

 * 1) Know what the signs of swine flu are in people. The symptoms look a lot like an ordinary flu and include fever (greater than 100°F or 37.8°C), cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. It is reported that diarrhea and vomiting can also be included with the symptoms of illness. There's no way to tell if you have the swine flu unless a respiratory specimen is taken within the first 4-5 days and sent to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (or equivalent).
 * 2) Make sure you are in good health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Consider taking a Vitamin C supplement. The healthier you are, the better your immune system will be at defending your body against a virus.
 * 3) Practice good hygiene. If you sneeze, keep a disposable tissue in front of your mouth, after sneezing or blowing your nose throw the tissue away. Wash your hands often, especially if after blowing your nose/sneezing and before you eat. Use a disinfectant when possible or just use soap and water.
 * 4) Don't share utensils or drinks. In cafeteria settings, it's not uncommon for people to casually share utensils or take a sip from someone else's drink. This should be completely avoided if there is any risk of a flu pandemic.
 * 5) [[Image:Influenza porcina en México 3112.jpg|thumb|Mexican officials wearing masks]] Wear a facemask or respirator as instructed by authorities. If used correctly, facemasks and respirators may help prevent some exposure to flu viruses. However, facemasks should be used along with other preventive measures, such as frequent hand washing.

Preparation
If a pandemic flu virus spreads rapidly, being prepared to stay at home will help slow down the virus because you'll minimize your exposure (and other people's exposure to you, if you become sick).
 * 1) Know what to expect.
 * 2) *A vaccine for pandemic flu has been released in limited quantities; as a result, you may have to wait in long lines to receive the vaccine.
 * 3) *People will have little or no immunity to pandemic flu since it is a new virus to humans. With seasonal flu, people have some immunity built up from previous exposure to the viruses.
 * 4) *Symptoms of pandemic flu may be more severe than seasonal flu. More people are likely to die from pandemic flu than from seasonal flu.
 * 5) *If you got a swine flu vaccine in the '70s, don't expect it to protect you from this new strain.
 * 6) Stock up. Store nonperishable foods, bottled water, over-the-counter drugs, health supplies and other necessities. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends having a 2-week supply. (These supplies can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages.) Have basic, over-the-counter health supplies such as a thermometer, facemasks, tissues, soap, hand sanitizers, medicine to relieve fever, and cold medicine.
 * 7) Plan ahead. Plan for what you will do in the following cases:
 * 8) *Schools dismissed: Consider childcare needs. Plan home learning activities and exercises. Have materials, such as books on hand. Also plan recreational activities that your children can do at home.
 * 9) ** As for students, take valuable items from lockers, such as iPods and textbooks- if school is closed, you wouldn't want such items left behind.
 * 10) *You or family member becomes sick and requires care: Make plans for how to care for people with special needs in case the services they rely on are not available. Plan to stay home for at least 10 days when you are sick with pandemic flu. Staying home will keep you from infecting others. Make sure others in your household also stay home when they are sick. During a severe pandemic, stay home if someone in your household is sick with pandemic flu.
 * 11) *Transportation networks disrupted. Think about how you can rely less on public transportation during a pandemic. For example, store food and other essential supplies to reduce shopping trips. Prepare backup plans for taking care of loved ones who are far away. Consider other ways to get to work, or if you can, work at home.
 * 12) Talk to your employer. Ask your employer about how business will continue during a pandemic. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services offers a Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist; or you can Develop a Risk Management Plan that accounts for the possibility of a flu pandemic. Find out if you can work from home, or if your employer will consider virtualizing the workforce. Plan for the possible reduction or loss of income if you are unable to work or your place of employment is closed. Check with your employer or union about leave policies.
 * 13) Use Technology.  Reduce exposure by using virtual workforce technologies.  Use email, web conferencing and pixetell enhanced documents to maintain effective business interactions without shaking so many hands.
 * 14) Stay updated. Identify sources you can count on for reliable information. If a pandemic occurs, having accurate and reliable information will be critical.
 * 15) *Reliable, accurate, and timely information is available at PandemicFlu.gov and World Health Organization swine flu page
 * 16) *Telephone sources include the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hotline at: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). This line is available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY: 1-888-232-6348. If you do not live in the U.S., check if there is an equivalent hotline in your area.
 * 17) *Look for information on your local and state government Web sites. Review your state's planning efforts and those of your local public health and emergency preparedness officials.
 * 18) *Listen to local and national radio, watch news reports on television, and read your newspaper and other sources of printed and Web-based information.

If You Contract This Flu

 * 1) In most cases flu patients should stay home. Do not go to the hospital or doctor, or else you might spread the virus to other patients.
 * 2) *On the other hand do seek emergency care as quickly as possible if the infected person is:
 * 3) **Exceptionally ill with flu-like symptoms
 * 4) **Chronically ill
 * 5) **Immune-suppressed
 * 6) **Elderly
 * 7) **A very young child, under age 2
 * 8) Call your doctor first, explain that you think you might have the swine flu, and follow any instructions. Read the US CDC guidelines on care.
 * 9) Get plenty of rest, and wait it out, the flu should pass in about 10 days.
 * 10) Be aware of life-threatening complications which might develop. If you get any of these you should get emergency medical care.
 * Emergency warning signs in adults are:
 * Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
 * Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
 * Sudden dizziness
 * Confusion
 * Severe or persistent vomiting
 * Emergency warning signs in children are:
 * Fast breathing or trouble breathing
 * Bluish skin color
 * Not drinking enough fluids
 * Not waking up or interacting
 * Being very irritable
 * Fever with a rash

Video
Dr Joseph Bresee, of the US Center for Disease Control Influenza Division discusses swine flu.

Tips

 * Avoid traveling to an affected area. People who have recently visited Mexico, California or Texas and are experiencing influenza-like symptoms, or have been in contact with sick persons from these areas, should contact their health care provider. Be sure to specify that you recently traveled.
 * Note that swine flu is transmitted from person-to-person, not from food.
 * Don't confuse swine flu with avian (bird) flu. Unlike avian flu, swine flu has proven to be highly contagious between humans.

Warnings

 * Don't panic. While it is prudent to be prepared, there is no need to overreact. For most people, basic precautions are all that is needed.
 * The Centers for Disease Control estimates that, on average, over 36,000 Americans die each year from flu related causes. Keep in mind that so far the swine flu pales in comparison to the regular flu.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Avoid the Avian Flu (or Any Flu)
 * How to Avoid Getting the Flu in Winter
 * How to Cope with a Stomach Flu
 * How to Survive a Bird Flu Pandemic
 * How to Help Out During a Flu Pandemic
 * How to Fight Off a Cold or Flu
 * How to Prevent a Cold or the Flu

Sources and Citations

 * USA Center for Disease Control: Swine Flu and You
 * http://www.pandemicflu.gov/ - Official U.S. Government Web site managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, content in the public domain.
 * H1N1 Vaccine - Is it Safe