Causecast

by MELISSA JUN ROWLEY, Contributing Writer

As swine flu headlines take over the media, tremendous concerns about the virus are rampant. The deadly illness that began rearing its ugly head in Mexico last week is not yet a global pandemic, but the wealth of unknown factors has stirred public panic.

According to the World Health Organization, the United States has reported 40 confirmed cases of swine influenza with no deaths. The Director-General has named the outbreak a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern.”

But, living in fear will only add fuel to the fire. While we do not have the power to stop the virus, we do have the means to take the necessary protective precautions. Some of them may seem like general habits of common sense, but it is always nice to see reminders in writing. Here they are:

1. Stay as far away as possible from anyone you know who is sick. Period.

2. Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands. CBS medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton says even though the particles are “aerosolized and respiratory droplets,” you can put yourself at risk by touching your face. If soap is not available, use alcohol-based hand gels with at least 60 percent alcohol frequently.

3. Don’t sneeze or cough into your hands. That’s just like dipping your hands into a big bag of virus. Rather, sneeze into a tissue or a sleeve. Make sure you won’t be shaking hands or touching doorknobs with contaminated hands.

4. Masks can be your friends if you must be near people who are ill. According to the Centers for Disease Control, wearing an N-95 mask can be protective, but they are “not recommended for the general public at this point.”

5. Swine flu symptoms are similar to the pains of the regular flu. If you experience high fever, coughing, body aches and a runny nose for one to two days with no signs of getting better, visit your doctor. Your medical professional will test you for the virus. Unfortunately, there is no way to differentiate between having the regular flu and swine influenza until some time has gone by. Symptoms can appear two to seven days after exposure.

6. If you are sick, avoid leaving home except to see your doctor. Do not go to work or school while you’re ill. If you have to leave your house, wear a surgical mask so that you don’t spread germs to others.

7. If you are the parent of a young toddler, carry alcohol wipes with you wherever you go. It’s difficult to monitor thumb sucking at all times, but you can be prepared to effectively wipe away germs whenever you see your child engage in hand-to-mouth activity.

8. Don’t be afraid of appropriately cooked pork. You can still eat it (although it may not seem too appealing right now).

9. Follow your local health care advisories. Make it a point to stay on top of the latest swine flu findings, while continuing to lead your life the best way you know how. If you’re not ill, you don’t have to stay indoors. But, by all means, you should stay informed.

10. UPDATE: The Humane Society of the United States has a great and also kinda fun video about how to properly wash your hands and avoid spreading disease. The toughest thing they ask? Wash your hands for a full minute (they suggest singing ‘Happy Birthday’ aloud four times).

Image by deovolenti, flickr