UserID/KID:
Password:
Forgot UserID/KID or Password?
Enter your 13 digit KID #:
Forgot
KID#
?
Wellness Articles
Health Fairs
Worksite Wellness
Corporate Wellness Program
Employees Wellness
Employees Health
Corporate Wellness
Employee Health Insurance
Employee Wellness
Employee Health Benefits
Company Wellness
Workplace Wellness
Employee Health Care
Corporate Healthcare
Employee Fitness
Health Wellness Program
Wellness Companies
Corporate Health Care
Employee Wellness Programs
Wellness In The Workplace
Workplace Fitness
Employee Health Program
Health And Wellness Program
Workplace Health & Wellness
Employee Wellness Program
Workplace Health & Wellness
Fitness Equipment
Wellness
Wellness Health
Health and Wellness
Health Program
Wellness Company
emWave
Health
Employee Incentive
Health Advocate
Health Video
Health Promotion
Swine Flu
Wellness Programs
Employee Health
Corporate Fitness
Corporate Health
Biometric Testing
Wellness Brochures
Health Stations
Free Health Promotion
1-499 Employees
Wellness Proposal
500+ Employees
Benefits Brokers
All Companies
Request a quote
Health Promotion Emails
Stay informed about health
Health Station
The next generation HS
KAM System
Kinetic Activity Monitor
Biometric Testing
Learn about your health
See all products and services
Diet and Menopause
Eating to Ward Off Heart Disease
Pets and Stress
See more health articles
Swine Flu Precautions
September 08, 2009: 0 comment(s)
Share
|
As fall approaches public officials and the media continue to raise the level of concern for a potential pandemic of the swine flu. So what are the facts and what can a person do to minimize the risk of infection?
The swine flu or H1N1 originated in pigs but humans can contract it from contact with swine or other infected people, but not from eating pork products according to the US Department of Agriculture.
The swine flu is a form of Type A flu that commonly occurs each year and is treatable. William Sutker, M.D., chief of infectious diseases at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas reported, “Although the type of flu we saw this season was not sensitive to some of the common antivirals that were available, swine flu is.” He says two prescription drugs, Tamiflu and Relenza, are effective but must be started in the first 1 to 2 days when symptoms begin. Individuals close to infected persons can take Tamaflu once a day for 10 days as a preventive measure.
Symptoms of the swine flu are primarily respiratory: coughing, fever, sneezing, sore throat, runny nose. Patients also experience muscle aches, weakness and fatigue. “However, there seems to be an increase in nausea and vomiting amongst those infected with swine flu. Again, these symptoms can be associated with the regular strains of the flu as well”, says Sutker. In other words, there is no distinguishing symptom of the swine flu that allows a person to know what kind of flu they may have. The symptoms of the swine flu are common to most other flu illnesses.
Dr. Sutker offers several recommendations to minimize the risk for swine flu infection. First and foremost is to wash your hands.
“Hand hygiene can not be stressed enough. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer. As always this is the single most important prevention technique that we have available”, states Dr. Sutker. The swine virus can live for several hours on common surfaces: door knobs, gym equipment, airplane seats, grocery carts, telephones, hotel room furniture. Infection most commonly occurs when contaminated surfaces are touched and then the person touches his face, nose or lips.
Second, minimize the exposure to others by covering your mouth or nose when you cough or sneeze. “Flu, like any other contagious respiratory disease, is spread by contact with infected droplets such as those released during a cough or sneeze,” said Sutker. Covering your mouth or nose is the first step. Next, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly.
Third, if you think you have been exposed Dr. Sutker says, “Do your friends and co-workers a favor and stay home. You will not only spare them becoming infected too, but you’ll need the rest in order to get better.”
Finally, Dr. Sutker states, “As of now, there is no need for people to panic…at this point, it is unclear if the swine flu outbreak will develop in to a full blown pandemic.”
Share
|
Comments (Scroll to the end to leave a comment)
No comments have been submitted for this article.
Want to leave a comment?
Please login first.
userID/KID#:
password:
Related Articles
High Blood Lipids Are Still a Problem For Most Heart Patients
Heart Patients Still Have High Blood Fat Levels
Holistic Program Supports Patients Undergoing Traditional Cancer Treatment
How to Reduce Your Risk for a Second Heart Attack
Fat Cells Play Key Role in Causing Diabetes and Cancer
Most Recent Articles
Diet and Menopause
Eating to Ward Off Heart Disease
Pets and Stress
Diet and Hypertension
Healthy Eating for One
More Popular Articles
High Blood Lipids Are Still a Problem For Most Heart Patients
Specific Foods in the Mediterranean Diet Increase Longevity
Regular Exercise Offers Protection From Heart Disease In The Masai
Do Men or Women Need More Sleep?
Heart Patients Still Have High Blood Fat Levels
6 Reasons Why You Should Drink Water
Whole Foods Protect Against Disease and Obesity
Vitamin D and Weight Loss Success
Shed Sugar to Purge Pounds
Fat Cells Play Key Role in Causing Diabetes and Cancer
Eating to Ward Off Heart Disease
Holistic Program Supports Patients Undergoing Traditional Cancer Treatment
Gloomy Weather Linked to Depression
How to Keep Your Memory and Avoid Dementia
Did You Know That Physical Activity Helps Sleep?
Shortcuts
News & Announcements
Success Stories
January 2009 Announcements
February 2009 Announcements
March 2009 Announcements
April 2009 Announcements
Resources
Request FREE Wellness Proposal
Benefits Brokers
Employers
HR Directors
Wellness Coordinators
Download Brochures
Announcements
RSS Feed
Blog
Products & Services
Wellness Score
Incentives
Health Risk Appraisal (HRA)
Biometric Testing
KAM System
Health Station
Health Videos
Health Statistics
Telehealth
Health Advocates
Promotional Materials
Census Manager
emWave® Stress System
Stress Busters Challenge