H1N1 (Swine Flu) Recommendations

 

Below are some of the CDC’s recommendations for flu prevention and treatment: 


Wash your hands often:  Washing your hands regularly will help protect you from germs and reduce your chances of contracting the H1N1 virus. The CDC recommends washing your hands with soap and warm water for 15 to 20 seconds.  How do you know if you’ve washed for 15-20 seconds?  You should be able to sing two rounds of Happy Birthday in that amount of time it takes you to properly wash your hands. 


Pick up some alcohol-based hand sanitizer and disposable wipes at your local supermarket or drugstore.  Soap and water aren’t always available and an alcohol-based sanitizer will kill the germs on your hands.  

 

* Note it’s important to rub your hands until the gel sanitizer is dry.


Keep surfaces wiped down and clean.  Areas such as bedside tables, kitchen counters, bathroom surfaces and children’s toys can be kept clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant. 


Know the signs and symptoms of the H1N1 virus:  Being able to recognizing the signs and symptoms of the H1N1virus will help better prepare you and your family.  Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, vomiting or diarrhea.


If you think you’re sick, stay home:  If you or a loved one exhibits any influenza-like symptoms, stay home.  Avoiding contact with other people for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone will help keep others from getting sick.  Only return to your normal routine once your fever can be controlled without the use of a fever-reducing medicine. 


Staying at home means staying home:  If you are sick or think you might be, you should not leave your home except to seek medical care. That means avoiding normal activities, such as work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.


If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.


For children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

  1. Fast breathing or trouble breathing

  2. Bluish or gray skin color

  3. Not drinking enough fluids

  4. Severe or persistent vomiting

  5. Not waking up or not interacting

  6. Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

  7. Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough


For adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

  1. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

  2. Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

  3. Sudden dizziness

  4. Confusion

  5. Severe or persistent vomiting

  6. Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough


For more complete information, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

Swine Flu Information

Oregon’s Main Flu Site

Center for Disease Control

FAQ Regarding H1N1 in Oregon


You can download a booklet:

http://www.flu.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/acd/flu/preparing.pdf

Things to take into consideration prior to flu season:

  1. -Transportation: Could the flu interrupt your transportation to work? What’s the plan if you or your carpool buddy gets sick?

  2. -Childcare: Account for various scenarios (you get sick, your child gets sick, your caregiver gets sick, etc.). Make a plan that works for you and your family.

  3. -Schools: Stay in touch with your children’s schools so you can understand their emergency procedures and the way they communicate with parents if an emergency occurs.

  4. -Caring for family and pets: Who counts on you to check on them regularly? Parents? Aging relatives or neighbors? If you become sick and can’t follow up with these people, who will serve as backup? Also consider the needs of pets.

  5. -Food: Keep some easy meals on hand to feed your family in case the flu makes it difficult to get to the grocery store. Find out what delivery options exist through local grocery stores.

  6. -Prescriptions: Ensure you have a few extra days supply of critical prescriptions. Understand the emergency options at your pharmacy, and look into home delivery options.

  7. -Emergency contacts: Ensure that family members know whom to call in a given situation. Update phone directories and cell phones.