Notes+Cathy

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What can I do to protect myself from getting sick? There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health: · Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. · Wash your hands often with soap and water, 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 to avoid close contact with sick people. · If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu? Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water. or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. we recommend that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands. What should I do if I get sick? If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact Health Services or your health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. How long should I stay home if I’m sick?CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick. Staying at home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care. This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings. If you must leave the house (for example to see your doctor), wear a facemask, if you have one and it is tolerable, or cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and wash your hands often to keep from spreading flu to others.

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care. In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include: · Fast breathing or trouble breathing · Bluish skin color · Not drinking enough fluids · Not waking up or not interacting · Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held · Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough · Fever with a rash In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include: · Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath · Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen · Sudden dizziness · Confusion · Severe or persistent vomiting Update on the H1N1 Vaccine – The County of Albany Health Department has begun receiving the mist version of the vaccine and it is currently being provided to the Medical Profession. The College is awaiting word on whether there will be vaccine available to academic institutions or if the County will offer flu clinics in other locations in which we can participate. We will keep you updated as we learn more from the County.

Reference: College of St Rose