Print

STUDENT HEALTH CENTER

Healthy You @ RSU » Archives
June 2009

H1N1 Pandemic Reminders!!

dFacts about Swine Flu - H1N1

  • Swine flu is a type of virus.
  • It's named for a virus that pigs can get.
  • People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen.
  • The virus is contagious and can spread from human to human.
  • Symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include:
    • fever
    • cough
    • sore throat
    • body aches
    • headache
    • chills
    • fatigue
  • There are antiviral medicines you can take to prevent or treat swine flu.
  • There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu.

dPrevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza by:

  • Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
  • Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. You can also use alcohol-based hand cleaners.
  • Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • Trying to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • Staying home from work or school if you are sick.

8 Ways to Prevent Influenza Transmission

  • Post signage instructing patients and persons who accompany them to inform healthcare personnel if they have symptoms of respiratory infection
     
    Provide tissues, trash cans, alcohol-based hand rubs, hand washing supplies where sinks are located and surgical masks for persons who are coughing
  • Separate coughing persons from non-coughing persons in common areas
  • Educate patients and persons to “cover their cough”, dispose of used tissues, wear a mask while in healthcare facility if coughing, and decontaminate hands after coughing or using tissues
  • Wear gloves when touching respiratory secretions and surgical masks when within 3 feet of a coughing person
  • Decontaminate Hands by using soap and water if visibly contaminated. Use alcohol-based hand gel if no visible contamination is present
  • Decontaminate Environment by wiping down frequently touched areas with routine environmental cleaner more often when coughing persons have been in the area
  • Exclude health-care personnel with symptoms of respiratory infection from work for the duration of illness
  • REMEMBER: Protect yourself
       Protect your patients
       Protect your co-workers

Resources

Oklahoma Swine Flu Hotline: 1-866-278-7134

Swine Flu Web Sites: