The Swine Flu (2009 H1N1) and Seasonal Flu. How to Stay Healthy and Prevent the Spread of Germs
Posted: Thursday, November 19, 2009
by Nenita Wells
In the United States, the influenza season started in the 40 th week of this year. It officially begun on October 4-10, 2009.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, during the week of November 1-7, 2009 there were thirty-five influenza-related pediatric deaths and twenty-six of these deaths are associated with the 2009 H1N1, the swine flu.
Forty-six of the U.S. States reported geographically widespread influenza activity.
Puerto Rico and four other States reported regional influenza activity.
Washington, D.C. reported local influenza activity.
Guam reported sporadic influenza activity and the
U.S. Virgin Island did not report.
What can you do to stay healthy and prevent the spread of germs? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose the tissue in the trash can after you use it. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
- Wash your hands with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol based cleaners also are effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people, since researchers think the flu is spread from person to person mainly through coughing and sneezing.
- If you get sick, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others, to keep from infecting them.
- Fever, although not everyone with flu will have a fever.
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Your body is aching
- Headache
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Sometimes diarrhea and vomiting
Some people are more likely to get flu complications. Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old, adults 65 years of age and older, pregnant women and people who have medical condition should talk to their health care provider.
It is possible for healthy people to develop severe illness from the flu. It is important that they should consult a health care provider.
I have seen people sneezing or coughing using the sleeves of their clothes instead of covering their mouth with their bare hand, when they do not have a tissue available. In that manner the germs do not stay in your hands whilst trying to find a place to clean your hands.
When washing your hands, wash for 15 to 20 seconds with soap and warm water especially after you cough or sneeze. There are gel sanitizer available, if you are using it, rub your hands until the gel is dry, the alcohol in it kills the germs.
More importantly, make sure that you are getting plenty of sleep, you are physically active, that you are drinking plenty of fluids, eating nutritious food and managing your stress to stay healthy.
Stay well.
By Nenita Wells
19NOV2009
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For inspirational poems visit: www.raindropsfromheaven.com
The author was born in one of the 7,100 islands in the Philippines, in Leyte where the famous American five-star general, Douglas MacArthur landed during WWII. She is one of eight children, and she has thirty-five nieces and nephews. She was raised by her parents to be a good Christian. Attended public school both in Elementary and High School in the Philippines. She went to college under the work and study program, earned her bachelor's degree with honors and her first paid full-time job was as secretary to the High School Principal, her first boss was a Benedictine Sister from Germany who was the Administrator of the Catholic school. She lived in New York City from 1977 to 2004 and now lives in Providence, Rhode Island. She loves to read and write poetry.
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More commentsWell done Nenita. An fascinating article with effective advice. My wife and I already received our inoculations for the seasonal influenza and as well for the H1N1 virus.Hi Jorge. Thank you so much for your kind words. I appreciate your reading and commenting. I am glad you have taken the precautionary measures to avoid the flu. Again, thanks for stopping by. Best of health to you and yours, Welcome to the Searchwarp Community. ~Nenita~
These are good rules to keep all the time. Good ArticleHi Mary Ann. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I appreciate your kind words. Welcome to the Searchwarp Community. Stay well and Happy Thanksgiving Day to you. ~Nenita~
Good information, Nenita. Fox News came out with a story today about flawed H1N1 vaccines. I am one who does not get flu shots and so far, being somewhat germophobic, taking lots of Vitamin C and God's mercy, I haven't gotten sick. My kids laugh about their growing up years...if someone was sick, I sprayed them down with Lysol along with everything they came into contact with. Now, they do the same!Hi Lorrie. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I can see you doing a Lysol commercial. LOL. Thanks again for stopping by. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. ~Nenita~
Great stats and common sense information on keeping germ-free during the flu season. Thanks for putting all the information in one place.Thank you Hillary. I am glad that you found the article helpful. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I appreciate very much your kind words and for stopping by. Happy Thanksgiving Day to you and your family. ~Nenita!
Article was very informative and told many facts that many people may not be aware of I thought iwas a very good article.Thank you so much for your kind words. I am glad that you liked it and thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read and comment. ~Nenita~
Well I would say that's the valuable information particularly when swine flu is spreading all over the world, everyone must know the precautionary measurements. Thanks for writing this articleHi Mark. I am glad that you stopped by. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. Yes, simple preventative measures can prevent the spread of germs. Thanks again. ~Nenita
Some other tips I have heard are to use mouthwash and clean your nostrils with salt water because it kills the germs.Hi Kyle. Thank you for additional prevention tips. I am glad you stopped by and thank you for taking the time to read and comment. Happy Thanksgiving, ~Nenita~
Thank you for the article. We should bear in mind that those prevention that the CDC recommends is not just this season but should be keep and practice all the time to avoid sickness. Mayette got her shots already but Raymund will have his shot on Monday. Keep your good work always. Missed u! Happy Thanksgiving Day!Thank you so much for stopping by and for taking the time to read and comment. You, too have a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving. ~Nenita~
Nenita,Great job with the research, and information is note worthy.LawrenceThanks Lawrence for your kind words. I am glad you could stop by, read and comment. How did your book signing go? Wishing you all the best. ~Nenita~
Very interesting article.Hi Keith. Welcome to Searchwarp! Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read and comment. Best regards, ~Nenita~
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