Pandemic Flu Prevention

Simple Steps to Stay Well

There are many ways that you can protect your family. You just need to understand how the flu will be spread and what you can do to protect yourself and your family from its ravages.

Prevention is the real key to surviving the Swine Flu pandemic , H1N1 virus . Fortunately, the WHO (World Health Organization) and the CDC (US Centers for Disease Control) scientists tell us that a flu virus eventually lessens its impact over time.

In other words, the longer you can delay getting the flu, the better chance you have of getting a milder form. Yes, you did read that correctly. The flu will probably continue to mutate—flu viruses do change frequently. (It may stay mild or it may become more severe.)

April 26, 2009, Mexico City
Photo courtesy of Eneas De Troya

The pandemic flu virus may actually get more ferocious and more deadly for awhile.

However, months after the first human cases of a pandemic flu, people may get sick with a much milder flu virus, maybe no worse than the seasonal flu virus that we see each year. The H1N1 swine flu has remained milder than seasonal flu for most people. That’s the GOOD news!

Social Isolation to Prevent Swine Flu

Mexico City cinema, May 2009
Photo courtesy of Luis Alberto

• Stay away from crowds—at the grocery store, mall, theater, meetings, public transportation, even church.

• Postpone air travel. In an airplane, the air is in a closed circuit. If someone aboard is ill, everyone is essentially exposed.

• If you must shop for groceries, do so in the middle of the night when there are fewer shoppers and employees in the store. Practice the habit of hand washing , immediately afterward.

• Will you wear flu masks ? If so, do you have some on hand?

Set House Rules to Prevent Flu

• Will anyone in your family be allowed to leave the house? Under what circumstances?

• Will children be allowed to play outside?

• What if your teenage daughter is caught sneaking out to meet her boyfriend at night? How will you handle this? Will you place her in quarantine for a while?

• What if a neighbor comes to your door? Will you let her into your house? Go outside to talk? Talk through the screen?

• What if a relative comes to your door? What about extended family?

• What if one of your adult children comes home—sick? How will you handle this? Do you know how to set up the sick room ? Do you understand infection control precautions?

• What will you do if strangers come to the door?

While social contact with other people puts you and your family in a high risk group, there are some things that you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Many of these actions make sense, not only during a swine flu pandemic, but also during the flu season every year! Make sure you and your family are ready to initiate flu prevention—when the time is right!

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