By now, you’ve probably read or seen somewhere that H1N1 (swine) flu has continued to spread. There have been suspected or confirmed cases across the country, including at schools and military bases. While these cases initially caused schools to close, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) no longer recommends schools closures for a suspected or confirmed case of the H1N1 flu.
In terms of its symptoms, the H1N1 flu really isn’t much different than the typical seasonal flu. The main difference between seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu is because it is a new virus, we don’t have immunity to it and there is no vaccine to protect us from it yet.
According to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, even if the World Health Organization (WHO) raises the pandemic alert level, it still doesn’t mean the H1N1 flu virus has increased in severity. But rather it shows that the virus has become more widespread. And, although the virus has spread to more countries, recent statistics from the CDC show that most cases have been mild and do not require hospitalization.
Nevertheless, it’s still important to pay attention to your health and to practice good hygiene habits to avoid getting sick. I can’t stress enough the importance of practicing good hygiene. So, again, here’s the list of things to do to help stay healthy:
- Wash your hands frequently, and especially after caring for someone who’s sick.
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers works when hand washing isn’t practical.
- Get plenty of rest and eat properly.
- Practice social distancing when in crowds.
- Stay away from those who appear to be sick.
- Avoid shaking hands.
If you do get sick, remember to:
- Stay home at least 7 days if you have flu-like symptoms, unless you’re going to get medical care.
- Talk to your doctor about whether an anti-viral drug would be right for you.
- Don’t send your child to an “alternate” daycare if he or she becomes sick.
- Use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze.
- Throw your tissue away after you use it.
- Cough into your sleeve instead of your hand.
For more tips on how to decrease your risk of catching or spreading the H1N1 flu, please visit the CDC Web site at
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
Also, for official information from the Department of Defense, remember to check the Pandemic Influenza Watchboard at
www.dod.mil/pandemicflu.
As always, I look forward to hearing from you with your concerns and questions. The federal government, the Department of Defense and TRICARE, are taking the necessary precautions to educate and safeguard our military and civilian personnel, as well as family members. We are taking action and working hard to keep you healthy. Remember to wash your hands, be mindful of others and most of all—stay informed!