| With Flu Season right around the corner and the threat of the H1N1 Influenza, we must remain vigilant against the spread of the virus through awareness, education, and protection. Please remember to practice standard precautions when dealing with all patients. Additionally, we must remember to protect ourselves, our family, and our co-workers by using common sense techniques such as thorough hand washing, cough and sneeze etiquette (covering you coughs and sneezes with a tissue), and social distancing when necessary.
Protect Yourself, Your Family, Your Co-Workers, and Community
• Stay informed. Health officials will provide additional information as it becomes available. Visit the CDC H1N1 Flu website (http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/).
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If a tissue is not available, cover your cough or sneeze with your sleeve instead of using your hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with a flu-like illness, stay home until 24 hours after your fever has subsided. Keep away from other household members as much as possible. This is to keep you from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
• Learn more about how to take care of someone who is ill in "Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home" on http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds, and other social distancing measures.
• The Centers for Disease Control recommends that employees and members and their families be vaccinated with the seasonal flu vaccine as well as the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available in order to protect from becoming ill. Please consult your physician to determine if you are able to take the vaccine.
• If you don't have one yet, consider developing a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of extra food, medicines, and other essential supplies. Further information can be found in the "Flu Planning Checklist " (http://pandemicflu.gov/individual/)
The following websites provide useful information regarding the H1N1 virus as well as other influenza viruses and communicable diseases. Some of the websites also offer weekly updates via e-mail.:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
World Health Organization (WHO):
http://www.who.int/en/
WHO Swine Flu/H1N1 Virus:
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
www.Flu.gov |
