The best way to prevent the spread of any infection is with proper hand washing. This means you must use plenty of soap and water, you must apply pressure, and you must wash every portion of your hands, between fingers, nails, top and palms of your hands and finally wrists for at least fifteen seconds. Then you need to rinse your hands under running water with your hands pointed down and without touching any portion of the sink. Do Not turn the water off with your clean hands. Use paper towel to dry your hands then use that towel to turn the faucet off and another to open the door. Singing the ABC song or the Happy Birthday song twice is enough time to know that as many bacteria as possible have been removed from your hands.
The Swine Flu or H1N1 is a serious pandemic. The signs and symptoms resemble those of influenza type A, however, the symptoms worsen quickly and can be difficult to treat if not caught and treated promptly. The problem is there is already a resistant strain to the antiviral medication and many physicians and infection disease centers are cautioning against using the antiviral medication without absolute proof it is necessary.
The swine flu (H1N1) signs are cough, sore throat, gastric distress such as abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, chills and fever, body aches and fatigue. These are also the signs and symptoms of the flu we are already used to seeing during the winter. What makes the swine flu different?
The difference with the flu we are used to dealing with versus the swine flu is that with the swine flu there will be a worsening of symptoms and it will seem unstoppable. Testing and research shows the swine fu is targeting the lungs. The virus becomes deadly when it gets into the lung tissue.
This virus also seems to be worse among young people, pregnant women and immune suppressed persons. Yet these are the people the WHO suggests get vaccinated. However, there is no research done on the upcoming vaccine at this time. The persons at the WHO and the CDC will be studying the effects of the vaccine on the persons who receive the vaccine in October of 2009!
There is also word that the WHO and the CDC will have the live attenuated virus (nasal spray type vaccination) available for young children. The difference between a live virus and a dead virus is that with a live virus what you are receiving will be a minute dose of the virus itself. With the live virus the risk of contacting the actual virus increases exponentially.
If a young person who has flu like symptoms becomes incoherent, unable to be consoled (crying or whining without ceasing) has uncontrollable vomiting, has very rapid breathing or bluish tint to skin, refuses fluids, uncontrollable coughing or cannot be woken take the child immediately to the emergency room or call 911
With an older adult watch for respiratory distress, unable to wake, mental status changes, uncontrollable coughing, dizziness or persistent vomiting. If any of those signs occur then call 911 or take that person immediately o the emergency room.
Continue to monitor the the television and radio as well as the Internet for updates on the swine flu but remember that common sense is your best friend! Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, hand washing, plenty of fluids, avoid crowds, avoid persons you know have the flu, obtain the flu vaccine as soon as possible even if you decide not to take the vaccine specific to H1N1.
barbara bethard
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