Thursday, April 30, 2009

H1N1 Virus (swine flu) and Common Sense.......My not so "Wordless Wednesday" on Thursday :)

I don't usually put things on my blog that don't pertain to art, but I think it's so important to get the word out there on how to use your head during this swine flu epidemic.

WASH YOUR HANDS.......live by this everyday ...flu season or not... do this and you will hopefully do fine.
WASH YOUR HANDS! WASH YOUR HANDS, WASH YOUR HANDS!

The disease spreads in the same way as human flu, by inhaling airborne particles from coughs and sneezes, or by touching a contaminated surface and then touching the nose or mouth.
It should be emphasised that in most cases the infection makes people unwell but is not life-threatening.

Tips on how to avoid or prevent Swine Flu?

**taken from the Salt Lake Examiner**
1. Drink plenty of water. You knew that, right?
2. Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, and ask others to do the same. Use the crook of your arm, not your hands. (That will actually spread your germs faster).
3. Wash hands frequently. Did I say frequently? Carry hand sanitizer with you and use it when you get back to your car after being in a public place, after touching shopping carts, etc.
4. Pop some pills. Either in pill form or in yogurt, probiotics help your immune system, as will extra vitamin C. Be sure you’re taking your multivitamin. Your overall health, diet, and habits will play a big role in whether or not you get ill, and how severe the illness is.
5. Avoid crowds to the extent possible.
6. Wash your hands again. Before and after eating or preparing food, after using the restroom (duh!), after being in public or at a gathering. Use common sense.
7. Get enough sleep.
8. Sanitize surfaces. Get some Lysol wipes, spray, and/or bleach solution to kill germs on handles, doorknobs, phones, keyboards, light switches, or any commonly-used surface, especially if someone in your household is sick. If not, do it anyway.
9. Stock up on supplies. Keep plenty of soap on hand, as well as detergents, hand sanitizer, food and water, medicine, even latex gloves and masks to prevent the spread of illness.
. Overall, don’t panic. Take the normal precautions you would take during flu season. If you do get sick, take care of yourself in the same way and see a doctor if you feel the need. Use your instincts.

3 comments:

Doreen said...

Thanks Lee, we are always careful and on the alert especially in the winter season with the washing of hands, taking vitamins, etc. as outlined in your post but it seems now we have to be on the alert at all times with extra preventative measures. I found your instructions very informative and will pass them on, thanks for sharing them.

Debra Keirce said...

My two sons leave tomorrow for a boy scout encampment at West Point. It's an honor to be invited to camp there. It's also in NY, where 45 of the 66 cases of confirmed swine in the U.S.A. are. And, there are many unconfirmed cases - so many that at least one school is closing because of them. SO, I have given them each hand sanitizer in trial size bottles, full size bottle for the tent, in little disposable wipes individually wrapped that they can put in their pockets. I'm hopeful, but honestly...I doubt anyone can get a teen to wash their hands often. Pray.

Amber said...

A lot of this is common sense like you stated. I always boil our tooth brushes when we are sick. I heard on the news that 1/10th of 1% of the population of Mexico have the flu. The numbers don't sound that big when you figure just how many people populate Mexico.

Good post!