Jerryl
Tall Unvaccinated Chinese Guy
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2004
- Messages
- 9,644
A Note to Travelers
Attached are some helpful reminders that should be utilized each and everyday.
Questions & Answers
Additionally, below are some frequently asked questions that have been published on the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization web sites. Please take a moment to review the facts regarding this issue:
What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.
How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water. Or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. We recommend that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
Recommendations
At this time the recommendations are as follows:
• Communicate to your friends and family the information regarding Swine Flu as well and copy and e-mail this notice.
• Prohibit travel to Mexico until May 3, 2009.
• Allow children who have any flu like symptoms to stay home.
• Review and prepare to implement your previous Pandemic Flu Plan.
In addition you may wish to consider obtaining the following supplies:
• Gloves: six or more pairs per clinician and housekeeping staff member per day
• N-95 Respirator Masks: two per person performing fever screening per day
• Fluid Resistant Surgical Masks
• Hand disinfectant-at all doorways, provide at each desk, lunch room, bathroom, entry ways, etc.
• Thermometers and probe covers
Helpful Websites
World Health Organization (WHO):
WHO | Swine influenza
Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
CDC - Influenza (Flu) | Swine Influenza (Flu)
US Government Sponsored:
PandemicFlu.gov
Attached are some helpful reminders that should be utilized each and everyday.
- 1. Avoid close contact.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
- 2. Stay home when you are sick.
- If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
- 3. Cover your mouth and nose.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
- 4. Clean your hands.
- Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Hand cleaning is critical, reminders and instruction are needed. Routine disinfection of surfaces regularly touched by employees (bathroom fixtures, handrails, counter tops) is important as well.
- 5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
- 6. Practice other good health habits.
- 7. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
Questions & Answers
Additionally, below are some frequently asked questions that have been published on the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization web sites. Please take a moment to review the facts regarding this issue:
What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.
How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water. Or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. We recommend that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
Recommendations
At this time the recommendations are as follows:
• Communicate to your friends and family the information regarding Swine Flu as well and copy and e-mail this notice.
• Prohibit travel to Mexico until May 3, 2009.
• Allow children who have any flu like symptoms to stay home.
• Review and prepare to implement your previous Pandemic Flu Plan.
In addition you may wish to consider obtaining the following supplies:
• Gloves: six or more pairs per clinician and housekeeping staff member per day
• N-95 Respirator Masks: two per person performing fever screening per day
• Fluid Resistant Surgical Masks
• Hand disinfectant-at all doorways, provide at each desk, lunch room, bathroom, entry ways, etc.
• Thermometers and probe covers
Helpful Websites
World Health Organization (WHO):
WHO | Swine influenza
Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
CDC - Influenza (Flu) | Swine Influenza (Flu)
US Government Sponsored:
PandemicFlu.gov
