Proper Precautions to Prevent "Swine Flu"

Commentary Editor

      My  5-year-old daughter came home with a pamphlet her school passed out. The pamphlet gave information about the H1N1 flu, commonly known as the “swine flu.” After reading the information, I began to wonder if my school was taking the same precautionary methods; informing students of the necessary actions needed to prevent the spread of the new and very different influenza virus.

   Many of you have been made aware of the reason President Barack Obama referred to the virus as H1N1, but for those who don’t know; many people think you can get swine flu by eating pork. To disassociate and alleviate people of their fears of eating Wilbur, he used the scientific name.

   According to the World Health Organization, more than 70 countries had reported cases of the H1N1 virus and there were ongoing community level outbreaks in multiple parts of the world. This caused WHO to signal a global pandemic, not because of the severity of the illness but because of the spread of the virus.

   During “regular” flu season, precautions are obvious, but there is also a vaccination available for the “seasonal flu.” Although the United States government is working hard with manufacturers to process a vaccine for the “swine flu,” it is not  available which makes prevention your best option.

   The Centers for Disease and Control expect a vaccine to be available in the Fall of 2009. Until then, follow these steps provided by the CDC which include:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you sneeze or cough. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.

• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.

   Having had the “seasonal flu” twice over the past two years, I hope we all take heed to the previous steps. From my experience, having the flu hurts and I will truly be upset if I contact it from a student or faculty member who wanted to have perfect attendance.

   For more information about the H1N1 virus and updates on availability of a vaccination, go to the CDC website.

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©The Voice 2009