The 3 Ps of Swine Flu, Protection, Prevention and Purell!

So you have heard about the swine flu pandemic.  It is all over the news. You know the different names, you know how you get it, and you know that everyone is a little scared by the whole thing. So what can you do?

The first thing the average person can do about swine flu disease is to take precaution.  Depending upon your level of concern, there are numerous measures you can take, from basic common sense ideas to the extremely outrageous. The extreme recommendations would include pulling the kids from school, quitting your job, locking your doors, and avoiding contact with people at all times  until the scare is over. As this isn’t reasonable for the most of us, let’s talk about some of the easier things we can do.

The first thing that you have to remember about the swine flu epidemic is that it became an epidemic in the first place because it is contagious. Contrary to popular belief, swine flu cannot be spread by pork products, since the virus is not transmitted through food. The flu virus has always been passed from one person to another by various means. Coughing and sneezing without covering your mouth, touching something without cleaning your hands, the usual stuff.

While surgical masks seem like a good idea, they will not completely stop the minute particles from being passed from one person to another. The fabric is simply not dense enough to stop those stubborn germs from getting to you.

Use tissue. Nothing beats that old standby. Tissue will hold those pesky germs from escaping and they are disposable. Use them and throw them away.

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Swine flu like other viruses can be contracted by touching objects contaminated by the virus. Everyone is still unsure of how long this virus can survive on surrounding surfaces so better safe than sorry. If you can’t always have access to soap and water, use hand sanitizer. Although not as effective as good old soap and water, alcohol based hand sanitizers will at least offer some limited protection from viruses.

If you do start to feel ill with flu like symptoms, stay at home. Contact your doctor and do what you would normally do for a cold or the flu. If it is available in your area, consider getting a vaccine. Aantiviral drugs can make the illness milder and make the patient feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications.

Finally, you might want to consider making up the survival kit to prevent the outbreak. This can be as basic or as high end as you want to make it. The basics would include:

•    A thick novel
•    A medical-aid kit
•    Swine flu masks and alcohol based hand wash
•    Medicines for fever such as naproxen, ibuprofen, and Tylenol
•    Food for at least three days
•    Liquids like water and other energy drinks like Gatorade to prevent dehydration.