Fighting Influenza (Part 1)
I thought the threat of Influenza H1n1 is over that’s why i was a bit shocked when i got a call yesterday from my Auntie that my nephew has been sent to the hospital because of this viral disease. Influenza H1n1 or formerly known as “swine flu” brought a global scare last year. There might be some vaccine that are now available today unlike last year. This makes me an idea to post an awareness or perhaps, a recap of how to treat and prevent this kind of disease. Philippines is one of the countries that was so much affected by Influenza H1n1 that is why the government implement some laws to teach everyone of how to prevent it. These are helpful things i remember from them:
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Influenza is a kind of an air borne disease. Throw the tissue in the trash can after you use it. Wash your hands often, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. Try avoid close contact with sick people. Stay home if you are sick. If you thought it is Influenza h1n1, you better stay in your house for 7 days after symptoms begin or until you have been symptom free fro 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading virus further.
Other important actions that you can take is to follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures. You have to be prepared in case you have sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol based hand rubs tissues and other related items might could be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.
The best way to keep on spreading the virus through coughing and sneezing is to limit your contact with other people as much as possible. If you are sick, stay home for 7 days after the symptoms begin or until you are symptoms-free for 24 hours,whichever is longer. Cover your mouth with a tissue while coughing or sneezing. Put your used tissue in the wastebasket. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
Washing you hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol based hand cleaner. It is recommended that when you wash your hands– with soap and warm water– that you wash for 15 – 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. the gel doesn’t need water to wrork; alcohol n it kills the germs in your hands.
If you live in areas where people have been identified with h1n1 virus, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people. You have to be aware with the symptoms like fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Staying at home means you should not live your home except to seek medical care. This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and other public gatherings. If you have severe illness or you at high risk fro flu complications, consult your doctor immediately to determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.
Luckily, there are medicines to treat infections caused by this virus. It is Tamiflu. It is being used for the treatment and/or prevention of infection. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing from your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications.
