Posted on Friday, May 08 @ 19:11:09 ICT  Health tip for travelers , to prevent flu and prevent spreading of Influenza advertisement
Wash your hands often with soap and water. This removes germs from your skin and helps prevent diseases from spreading.
Use waterless alcohol-based hand gels (containing at least 60 per cent alcohol) when soap is not available and hands are not visibly dirty.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and put your used tissue in a wastebasket.
If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner (with at least 60 per cent alcohol) when soap and water are not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people (within 6 feet). Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
It is important to follow the advice of local health and government authorities.
PREPARING FOR YOUR TRIP
- Antiviral Medications
The recommended antiviral drugs for H1N1 flu are Oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu) and Zanamivir (brand name Relenza). Both are preion drugs that fight against H1N1 flu by keeping it from reproducing in the body. These drugs can prevent infection if taken as a preventative. Talk to your doctor about correct indications for using influenza antiviral medications. Always seek medical care if you are severely ill.
- Be sure you are up to date with all your routine vaccinations, including a seasonal influenza vaccine. The seasonal vaccine is not expected to offer protection against H1N1 flu, but it can protect against seasonal flu which may still be circulating in Mexico and the Southern Hemisphere.
- Pack a travel health kit that contains basic first aid and medical supplies.
- Do not travel while you are sick, except to get local medical care.
- Seek medical care if you feel sick
If you are ill with fever and other symptoms of H1N1 flu, such as cough and sore throat, consult a medical provider, especially if you think you may have had contact with someone with H1N1 flu or severe respiratory illness in the past 7 days before becoming ill.
PREVENTING THE FLU: GOOD HEALTH HABITS CAN HELP STOP GERMS
Health Tips from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent the flu.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Clean your hands
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
- 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.
- Practice other good health habits
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
Source: Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Fact Sheet
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm?s_cid=swineFlu_outbreak_003 |
