Steps to take to prevent yourself from Catching Swine Flu

Prevention of Swine Flu

Swine flu, caused by the H1N1 virus, has already claimed 62 lives across India in the first three months of 2016, as per a report by the DNA newspaper, and the central government has sent an advisory to the various states to step up their preparations. Read on to learn about how to prevent swine flu from affecting yourself and your loved ones.

How to Prevent Swine Flu

1. It is very important that you stay home if you are sick. If you have swine flu, you can give it to others. Doctors recommend that you stay at home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.
2. Shield others from your coughs and sneezes. Avoid sneezing or coughing into your hands; instead, use the crook of your elbow or hold some tissues in your hand to cough or sneeze into.
3. You can prevent swine flu from infecting other members of the family even if one member is affected. Make sure that only one person is responsible for caring for the infected person. Wash the utensils used by the person separately. Make sure to add Dettol Antiseptic Liquid to the water used to clean the patient’s clothes. It is a good idea for everyone in the family to bathe with water treated with Dettol Antiseptic Liquid. The infected person should ideally wear a mask in case he or she is meeting other people. The mask must not be reused.
4. Frequent hand washing is another way to prevent the spread of swine flu. You should periodically hand wash with an antibacterial liquid hand wash, whether you are at home or at office. You can also use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. The virus can enter your body if your infected hand comes in contact with your eyes, nose or mouth. Try to consciously keep your hands away from your face.
6. Avoid crowds if you are especially vulnerable. Those who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, or are either very young or very old, are the ones who are most vulnerable to catching swine flu. Such persons should avoid crowded situations as much as possible, especially if there is a swine flu outbreak in their area.
7. A very important aspect of how to prevent swine flu is to keep yourself, and your immune system, healthy, with good nutrition and regular exercise.