Advice on how to avoid the H1N1 Swine Flu Virus
After an amazing effort on the part of the international medical research world, the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine is now available for the Australian public. It is especially important to have this vaccination if you are chronically ill, or elderly.
Otherwise, because this sometimes-fatal disease is still spreading throughout the Australian population, it is a good time to review the other actions, in addition to vaccination, that you can take to protect yourself. If you avoid vaccines on principle, then it is all the more important that you follow steps to protect yourself from exposure to swine flu.
The best thing you can do is to avoid any close contact with infected people: avoid kissing, hugging, or shaking hands. Sometimes total avoidance is not very practical, for instance if the infected person is in your family. You still need to take special care to avoid close contact, and if they are sneezing and coughing you should wear an effective, high filtration facemask rated at N95 standard. This type of facemask is widely available through chemists and is not expensive. Each N95 mask can be worn for up to 8 hours, so buying enough to supply everyone in the home for enough time is important.
Because viruses are living they can survive on most surfaces in public, and in the home. You should clean your light switches, fridge doors, taps, tables, doorknobs, and PC keyboards with bleach wipes, and strictly avoid sharing cups, glasses, cutlery or other objects with anyone with the flu. Washing your hands frequently is advised, or the use of alcohol-based sanitisers, which can be carried with you especially after using public transport. Out in public avoid crowded areas as much as you can; assume that someone in the crowd has the flu. Don’t get on lifts with others, wait for the next lift and take it alone, if practicable.
Getting plenty of sleep, and eating a good diet will help to keep your immune system strong. If you believe in taking supplements now is a good time to be zealous about your Vitamin C, and Echinacea, which help build up the immune system. Experts warn that strict dieting during the cold and flu season puts you at greater risk of getting sick because it weakens your immune system.
If you have a medical condition that puts you at higher risk such as asthma, pregnancy, diabetes, or HIV, you are especially vulnerable and need to take extra precautions to protect yourself. Discuss the issue with your doctor, as there have been an increased number of Swine Flu fatalities in this population.
Others who should consider being vaccinated with the new vaccine, mainly for the protection of others, are healthcare workers, teachers, and parents or carers of young infants or special-needs children. You should also consider having the vaccine if you are an Indigenous Australian or a person with asthma, diabetes, kidney disease, lung or heart disease, cancer, or any of the neurological diseases, such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s.
For more information on the new H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine, and where you can get your free vaccination, please go to www.healthemergency.gov.au or ring 180 2007 between 8 am to 8 pm.