| Is the H1N1 as bad as everyone is saying? | | | | exposures to a minimum by washing our hands |
| What are the facts about swine flu I can use to | | | | regularly with soap and water or even using an |
| protect myself and my family? | | | | alcohol-based hand sanitizer. |
| These are down to earth questions that everyday | | | | Use disposable tissues when coughing or cough into |
| people like ourselves need to have answered. The | | | | your elbow or shoulder if you do not have a tissue. Of |
| facts about swine flu, not the hype, would be helpful so | | | | course avoid as much as possible, anyone who is |
| we could protect ourselves and our loved ones. | | | | coughing in public without applying this common sense. |
| So how bad is it? | | | | If there are confirmed cases in your area, limit your |
| To quote the C.D.C., "From April 15, 2009 to July 24, | | | | public exposure as much as possible and be sure to |
| 2009, states reported a total of 43,771 confirmed and | | | | clean your hands often while out and especially upon |
| probable cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) infection. | | | | returning home. If public school is closed, avoid putting |
| Of these cases reported, 5,011 people were | | | | your children in daycare or other group settings. |
| hospitalized and 302 people died." | | | | If you think you may have flu symptoms please remain |
| I did not want to write about statistics, there is plenty | | | | home. This is your community responsibility. The |
| on the Internet. I only mention them to emphasize the | | | | contagious period lasts about seven days after |
| facts about H1N1 as serious and that it constitutes a | | | | symptoms start. It is noteworthy that you are actually |
| major threat to the general population. | | | | contagious at least one day before symptoms |
| Let us concentrate on the facts about the swine flu | | | | manifest themselves. If any symptoms persist or |
| that we can use to arm ourselves to minimize its | | | | seem unusual be sure to see a doctor for expert |
| affects on us and our families. The swine flu is a virus, | | | | medical advice. |
| the same preventive measures and good common | | | | Avoid touching your mouth nose or eyes as much as |
| sense used for other illnesses, especially the seasonal | | | | possible. These are the most common entry points for |
| flu are just as effective against swine flu. | | | | the virus. Although swine flu can be airborne, for the |
| For example: | | | | most part it is spread through hand to face contact. |
| The simple act of hand washing is in itself is a big | | | | These are just some of the facts about swine flu you |
| deterrent to contracting or spreading the swine flu. Our | | | | need to know to protect yourself and your loved ones. |
| hands come in contact with many items used daily by | | | | By all means take the time to educate yourself on this |
| other people. Door handles, keyboards, sinks, phones | | | | and other do-able methods to keep the affects of this |
| and even other peoples hands are all vehicles that can | | | | pandemic on you and your family to a minimum. |
| transmit germs and viruses. We can keep these | | | | |