Home > H1N1 News from Guardian Technologies - Info on H1N1 Virus and Health Tips for Flu Season

H1N1 Virus News



Tips for Staying Healthy During Flu Season

1) Coughing & Sneezing
  • Do not cough or sneeze without covering your mouth and/or nose
  • Coughing or sneezing into a disposable tissue is best.
  • If a tissue/handkerchief is not available to cough or sneeze into, use the crook of your arm (where elbow bends).
  • If you accidentally cough or sneeze into your hand - wash immediately!
2) Hand Washing CDC states:

CDC States:
  1. Wet hands with clean running water and apply soap. (Warm water is best)
  2. Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces. Make sure to scrub both sides of hands, as well as in between all fingers.
  3. Continue rubbing hands for 15-20 seconds.
  4. Rinse well under WARM running water.
  5. Dry hands with air dryer or paper towel.
  6. Use paper towel to turn off faucet. > > Click here to watch a video
3) Healthy Living Practices
  • EAT HEALTHY: Eat according to the amounts suggested in the food pyramid. Be sure to keep fatty/oily foods to a miniumu!

Food Pyramid
  • GET ENOUGH SLEEP:
    • Sleep allows your body to rest and makes it better prepared to fight off flu-causing germs
    • Everyone's sleep requirements are different
    • On average you can figure out your sleep requirements based on the following chart: > > Click here
4) Avoid Unnecessary Contact (Especially with Infected & Potentially Infected People)
  • Flu germs spread from person to person by coughing, sneezing and even simply talking.
  • Germs can live for hours on surfaces like doorknobs, desks, tables, keyboards, etc. (Citation)
  • Infection can occur within 3ft of an infected person.
  • Germs also spread through contact with contaminated objects and surfaces. Try to refrain from touching eyes, nose, or mouth without first washing hands.
5) If you are sick - STAY HOME!


What is Swine Flu/H1N1?

  • Very contagious respiratory disease
  • Caused by a strain of influenza type A virus known as H1N1
  • H1N1 is the same strain that typically causes seasonal flu outbreaks (in humans)
  • Originated in pigs and mutated allowing the virus to spread by human-to-human contact.
skeleton

Swine Flu Symptoms to Watch For:

  1. WHOLE BODY:
    Tiredness and chills
  2. HEAD:
    Sudden fever (100.4F or above), headache, sore throat, runny nose and/or sneezing
  3. STOMACH:
    Upset stomach, loss of appetite and/or diarrhea
  4. JOINTS and MUSCLES:
    Aching muscles, limb and/or joint pain

For More H1N1 Information

cdc
Cleveland Clinic
World Health Organization
BBC


Vaccination Information


Who Should Receive the Vaccine?
  • Pregnant Women
  • People who work with infants less than 6 months old
  • Healthcare workers and providers of emergency medical care
  • All persons 6 months to 24 years old
  • All persons 24 to 64 years old who have health problems
Why Should These Groups Receive the Vaccine?

Children and Young Adults:
- Have had the highest rate of incidence of H1N1 to date

Pregnant Women:
- High mortality rate for pregnant women who are affected with virus
> > Click here to learn more

Healthcare Providers:
- They often come in contact with vulnerable people (ie pregnant women, young children/adults)

Anyone 24-64 years old with Health Problems:
- They are at a higher risk of having complications from the virus


Sources: