Swine Flu Spreading Like Fire:Prevention & Precautions

            The symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with novel H1N1 flu virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. The high risk groups for novel H1N1 flu are not known at this time, but it’s possible that they may be the same as for seasonal influenza.

Emergency Warning Signs:
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
1.Fast breathing or trouble breathing
2.Bluish or gray skin color
3.Not drinking enough fluids
4.Severe or persistent vomiting
5.Not waking up or not interacting
6.Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
7.Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
1.Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
2.Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
3.Sudden dizziness
4.Confusion
5.Severe or persistent vomiting
6.Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

How to be safe:
           School and college goers and people who go out to work are at a higher risk of contracting the infection. People who live in air-conditioned, closed environments are more likely to catch the disease.

          You might be sharing a telephone, computer or books with an infected person. People traveling abroad should also be little cautious.
Use disposable tissues, always cover your mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing, and dispose of your waste carefully.

There is always some virus on tabletops, telephones and computers. So try not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth frequently.

      Washing and sanitizing your hands frequently is a very effective way of staying away from the infection. Alcohol-based gel or foam hand sanitizers are very efficient in killing these viruses.

            There is no restriction on food and drinks as Swine flu is not a food borne illness. Swine flu is transmitted by airborne droplets from an infected person’s sneeze or cough; or from germs on hands, or germ-laden surfaces.

      Wearing a well-fitted mask in public places is also advisable. But only a mask can’t save you from the disease.
Drink loads of water and get enough sleep. Sleep derivation is an unhealthy habit and can affect your immune system too.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Stay away (3-feet distance) from people who have a respiratory infection.
Ventilate and allow the entry of sun in the house and all enclosed places.
Make sure areas like the kitchen and restrooms are clean.
If you have already got it:
If you are a confirmed case of Swine flu, then confine yourself to a room. Wearing a mask is a must.
Keep yourself away from social gathering, your work place and other public places, to avoid spreading the infection to others.
Swine flu is most contagious in the initial five days. In the case of children, it can be contagious up to 10 days.