| WHO authorities have benefited from the previous | | | | production of a seasonal vaccine to a pandemic |
| bout of H5N1 virus (Avian flu) by way of being | | | | vaccine, even if halting the seasonal vaccine instantly |
| prepared to combat the current strain of the Swine flu. | | | | would not enable the swift manufacturing of the |
| Countries have developed better strategies of | | | | pandemic vaccine. |
| suppressing the spread of the virus, such as limiting | | | | Further Prevention |
| public gatherings, airport thermal-screening of | | | | 1. Reduce travel to infected countries. |
| passengers arriving from selected countries and the | | | | 2. Wash hands frequently with soap and water, or |
| temporary closing of schools. Several airlines have | | | | alcohol-based hand sanitizers. |
| upgraded their air filters and sanitizing methods and are | | | | 3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. |
| more diligent in changing used blankets, pillow and | | | | 4. Keep surfaces on chairs, tables, wall and floors |
| headsets. | | | | (including bed linens, kitchen utensils and counters) in |
| In some countries, health officials are taking into | | | | allrooms in your home spotless and sterile. |
| consideration launching more extreme measures such | | | | 5. Toys should be disinfected regularly with a mild and |
| as health screening in schools, kindergartens and | | | | effective detergent, which will not cause any |
| institutions of higher learning. To date, airport screenings | | | | skinreactions or allergies. |
| (including obtaining throat swabs from passengers | | | | 6. Improve ventilation of frequently used rooms. |
| from infected countries) have proved to be helpful. | | | | 7. Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing and |
| Those who display flu-like symptoms are advised not | | | | coughing using a tissue or other disposable materials. |
| to shake hands and to wear a mask to minimize the | | | | Afterimmediately disposing the materials, wash hands |
| risk of transmitting the virus. | | | | with water and soap or an alcohol-based hand |
| Treatments | | | | sanitizer. |
| The current drug used for treating the Swine flu virus | | | | 8. Masks should cover both mouth and nose and |
| is Relenza. Health authorities in infected countries are | | | | should leave no gaps between the mask and face. Do |
| advised to use these drugs to treat only the | | | | not re-use masks and wash your hands every time a |
| hospitalized and seriously ill to avoid a case of short | | | | mask is discarded. |
| supply. Vaccination is one of the best methods to | | | | 9. Keep food clean and separate raw and cooked |
| protect people from getting infected by the regular | | | | food. Food should be cooked thoroughly. Keep food at |
| influenza virus. Currently, WHO has requested for the | | | | safetemperatures. Use safe and clean water on raw |
| production of a seasonal Swine flu vaccine, similar to | | | | ingredients. |
| other mass-produced seasonal vaccines. Since it took | | | | If you follow the precautionary and prevention steps |
| such a short time to declare the Swine flu a pandemic, | | | | give, you should minimize the risk of being infected by |
| WHO will now be pressured to switch the current | | | | Swine flu. |