Tips for avoiding Swine Flu
Robert Fausett
Posted in: News on 4/28/09 at 2:26 PM PST
The Swine Flu has taken Mexico and the entire world by surprise. At least 150 people are dead and many thousands more have been infected worldwide.
Swine Flu is defined as an acute and highly contagious respiratory disease thought to be the same virus that caused the 1918 influenza pandemic that killed hundreds of thousands.
In California there have been approximately 200 cases confirmed so far.
According to Los Angeles Harbor College nurse Carole Stevenson in an email to staff "flu symptoms can be mild or severe - and if they're mild can become severe without much notice. Be aware of your body and monitor your body temperature. Flu symptoms can come on suddenly."
Stevenson said the common symptoms of the flu include:
• Fever usually high 100 degrees
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Chills
• Extreme tiredness
• Dry cough
• Runny nose may also occur but is more common in children than adults
• Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, may also occur but are more common in children than adults.
You don't need to experience all of these symptoms to have the flu. If you have one or two, it's recommended that you see your doctor, according to Stevenson.
Ways to prevent getting the flu are as follows, she said:
• Covering the nose and mouth with a tissue upon coughing and sneezing followed by proper disposal of the tissue.
• Avoiding contact with ill persons.
• Avoiding the urge to touch nose, mouth and eyes in general.
• Staying home from work and/or school upon onset and for the duration of symptoms.
• Assuring adequate and thorough HAND WASHING and use of alcohol-based hand cleansers (in the absence of proper hand-washing facilities).
• Providing tissues in common areas of homes, common and public areas.
• Encouraging pursuit of medical evaluation at earliest onset of symptoms.
• Use of masks to those who are exhibiting symptoms or who are ill.
• Maintenance of a 3 to 6 foot perimeter around a coughing patient.
For more information call the Student Health Center at (310) 233-4521.
Swine Flu is defined as an acute and highly contagious respiratory disease thought to be the same virus that caused the 1918 influenza pandemic that killed hundreds of thousands.
In California there have been approximately 200 cases confirmed so far.
According to Los Angeles Harbor College nurse Carole Stevenson in an email to staff "flu symptoms can be mild or severe - and if they're mild can become severe without much notice. Be aware of your body and monitor your body temperature. Flu symptoms can come on suddenly."
Stevenson said the common symptoms of the flu include:
• Fever usually high 100 degrees
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Chills
• Extreme tiredness
• Dry cough
• Runny nose may also occur but is more common in children than adults
• Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, may also occur but are more common in children than adults.
You don't need to experience all of these symptoms to have the flu. If you have one or two, it's recommended that you see your doctor, according to Stevenson.
Ways to prevent getting the flu are as follows, she said:
• Covering the nose and mouth with a tissue upon coughing and sneezing followed by proper disposal of the tissue.
• Avoiding contact with ill persons.
• Avoiding the urge to touch nose, mouth and eyes in general.
• Staying home from work and/or school upon onset and for the duration of symptoms.
• Assuring adequate and thorough HAND WASHING and use of alcohol-based hand cleansers (in the absence of proper hand-washing facilities).
• Providing tissues in common areas of homes, common and public areas.
• Encouraging pursuit of medical evaluation at earliest onset of symptoms.
• Use of masks to those who are exhibiting symptoms or who are ill.
• Maintenance of a 3 to 6 foot perimeter around a coughing patient.
For more information call the Student Health Center at (310) 233-4521.
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Insurance Quotes Medical Watch
posted 2/01/10 @ 8:53 PM PST
Staying healthy is key to keeping your immune system strong in case you do contract the flu. Of course this does not guarantee it won't effect you but your body will be better prepared to counter it. (Continued…)
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