Swine Flu Outbreak Continues to Grow
The World Health Organization has raised the global alert level for swine flu to Phase 4, indicating that the
virus is becoming more adept at spreading among humans. The increase in the pandemic alert phase indicates that the likelihood of a pandemic has increased.
The CDC has issued a travel warning recommending that people avoid non-essential travel to Mexico. Health officials are urging people to follow important, common sense preventive measures:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze, before eating or touching your face, mouth or nose. Flu viruses can survive for two hours or longer on surfaces, such as doorknobs and countertops.
- Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective. Carry a small bottle with you at all times to use when a sink is not available.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. It is not spread by eating pork because cooking to an internal temperature of 160 F (71 C) kills the virus. So eating properly cooked pork is safe. Swine flu is spread like any other respiratory disease, via droplets from sneezes and coughs. You can breathe in these droplets or become infected by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes or mouth.
If you get sick, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Call your doctor or health care provider for further recommendations. An important note for children, always check with your pediatrician before giving your child any cold medicines. Do Not Give Aspirin To a Child or Teenager Who Has the Flu or Flu-like symptoms.
Read more:
- What’s the Difference Between a Cold and the Flu?
- About Influenza
- Diagnosis and Treatment of the Flu
Source: CDC, April 28, 2009
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