Swine flu: What you can do to stay healthy
As cases of swine flu begin to be reported in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control has released guidelines to help you stay healthy and avoid this potentially serious illness. Symptoms of swine flu include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people have also reported vomiting and diarrhea. There isn’t a vaccine for the swine flu – last winter’s vaccine didn’t cover swine flu. But there are antiviral medications that can make you feel better if you’re sick and may help prevent infection.
To stay healthy and prevent spread of illness:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Follow all local health recommendations. For example, you may be asked to put on a surgical mask to protect others.
- Try to avoid close contact (within three feet) with sick people. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
- If you’re sick, stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections.
Seek medical care if you feel sick:
- If you have a fever and other symptoms of swine flu, see a doctor as soon as possible, especially if you think you may have had contact with someone with swine flu or severe respiratory illness in the past seven days before becoming ill.
- Antiviral medications are recommended for people who are planning to travel within the U.S. and are at high risk of severe illness from influenza (for example, those with diabetes, lung disease, heart disease and the elderly). The recommended antiviral drugs for swine flu are oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (Relenza®). Both are prescription drugs that fight against swine flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. These drugs can prevent infection if taken as a preventative.
During your visit to an area affected by swine flu:
- Pay attention to announcements from the local government.
- Follow local public health guidelines, including any movement restrictions and prevention recommendations.
After you return from your trip:
- Closely monitor your health for seven days.
- If you become ill with fever and other symptoms of swine flu such as cough, sore throat, vomiting and/or diarrhea in the week after you return, call your doctor or clinic for an appointment right away. Your doctor may test you for influenza and decide whether flu antiviral treatment is indicated. Tell your doctor where you traveled and if you have had close contact with a person infected with swine flu.
Helpful links for more information: