WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT MYSELF AND MY FAMILY?
WHAT IS SWINE FLU (ALSO KNOWN AS SWINE INFLUENZA)?
¨ Swine flu is like the seasonal flu - the one people get during the fall and winter seasons.
¨ The symptoms include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches. Children can have vomiting and diarrhea.
This is how swine flu infects people: Sick people make other people sick
HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF AND MY FAMILY AGAINST SWINE FLU?
¨ Hand-washing (20 seconds or just count to 40)
o Hand-washing is the most important protection from the flu.
o Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds.
o Dry your hands with paper towel, not with a cloth towel.
o Make sure you use a napkin or paper towel to turn off the water faucet and when touching things that you share with others, such as door handles; and sugar, salt, and pepper containers in restaurants.
¨ Walk away
o Walk away from people who are coughing, sneezing, or look sick.
o If someone sneezes near you, wash your face and hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds as soon as possible.
¨ Do not share cups, forks, spoons, plates, and food with anyone.
¨ Eat healthy food with vegetables, fruits, and grains, and get enough sleep (7-8 hours per night).
¨ If someone in your house is sick
o Do not share a bedroom with a sick person. If this is not possible, make sure that there is at least one meter or one yard or 3.5 feet in between the beds.
o Cover your mouth and nose if you have to care for a sick person in your family.
o Open the windows and doors in the room to circulate the air in the room.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS?
If you have flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches (children can also have vomiting and diarrhea), call your doctor. If you don’t have health insurance, go to the emergency room of your nearest hospital.