Swine Flu Information Updates from Health Services
05/01/2009
May 1, 2009
The latest news on swine flu (influenza A H1N1) from Yates County Public Health is good for Keuka College.
As of April 30, there are no cases in Yates County and no confirmed cases in Western New York. Health Services is prepared in case there is an occurrence of swine flu on campus. The College has been actively planning for pandemic flu for more than five years. The pharmacies in the area are also prepared.
April 28, 2009
USA Today reported Monday (April 27) that the World Health Organization has confirmed human cases of swine flu in Mexico, the United States, Canada and Spain. Only Mexico has reported deaths from the new strain.
Swine flu is a respiratory disease normally found in pigs and caused by type A influenza viruses. While outbreaks are most common in pigs, human cases of swine flu do occur. In the past, reports of human swine flu have been rare—approximately one infection every one to two years in the United States.
Symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of a regular flu: fever and chills, sore throat, cough, headache, body aches, and fatigue. Diarrhea and vomiting can also be present. Without a specific lab test, it is impossible to know whether you may be suffering from swine flu or another flu strain, or a different disease entirely.
You should take the same precautions that you take to prevent other contagious viruses to protect yourself against swine flu, including practicing good hand hygiene.
Prevention Tips
There are a few simple things that you can do to protect yourself. The #1 thing is frequent good hand washing.
When washing hands with soap and water:
- Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
- Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
- Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing "Happy Birthday" twice through to a friend!
- Rinse hands well under running water
- Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet
Remember: If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based gel to clean hands.
When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:
- Apply product to the palm of one hand
- Rub hands together
- Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry
When should you wash your hands?
- Before preparing or eating food
- After going to the bathroom
- After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom
- Before and after tending to someone who is sick
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After handling an animal or animal waste
- After handling garbage
- Before and after treating a cut or wound
Some other things that can help avoid the spread of disease are:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
- Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
Download this flu prevention poster to hang in your area.
For more information, click on the following resources:
Pandemic Flu: The College Response
Control of Pandemic Flu Virus
College & University Check List
Resources for Colleges & Universities
Swine Flu: Student's Guide
Swine Flu: Response Protocols for Staff
Swine Flu: Pork Safety
Also:
SwineFluEducation
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