How to avoid H1N1
Issue date: 9/11/09 Section: News
As recent news stories have reported, cases of H1N1 on college campuses and within the K-12 school systems are on the rise.
According to Mary Margaret Harris, director of Beu Health Center at Western Illinois University, there has been an increase of students at Western reporting flu-like symptoms; however, there has not yet been a confirmed H1N1 case. Harris stressed there are a few things everyone can do to keep all flu and cold bugs at bay.
Prevention is often the best medicine to avoid the virus, Harris stressed. People with influenza spread flu viruses mainly from person-to-person through coughing or sneezing. Touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose may infect sometimes people. Tips to avoid the transmission of influenza include covering a cough or sneeze with a tissue or sleeve,
frequent handwashing, staying home when sick and getting a flu shot.
Follow other common sense advice like not sharing cups, straws or eating utensils, avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth, and clean commonly-touched surfaces (door knobs, refrigerator handles, telephones, etc). Also, eat a variety of foods from all food groups, exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep every night. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), proper handwashing is the single most important action that people can take to keep from getting sick and from spreading illness to others.
"The key to avoiding so many illnesses comes down to handwashing. This simple act can dramatically reduce the spread of infection and the number of sick days," she added. "If you do end up developing flu-like symptoms, the best advice is to stay home, rest and drink plenty of fluids."
Seasonal flu symptoms develop quickly and include fever and a sore throat and/or coughing, body aches, chills and headache. Reported H1N1 symptoms are similar to seasonal flu and may also include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The symptoms of the common cold are generally much milder than the flu, develop more slowly and usually do not include a fever.
According to Mary Margaret Harris, director of Beu Health Center at Western Illinois University, there has been an increase of students at Western reporting flu-like symptoms; however, there has not yet been a confirmed H1N1 case. Harris stressed there are a few things everyone can do to keep all flu and cold bugs at bay.
Prevention is often the best medicine to avoid the virus, Harris stressed. People with influenza spread flu viruses mainly from person-to-person through coughing or sneezing. Touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose may infect sometimes people. Tips to avoid the transmission of influenza include covering a cough or sneeze with a tissue or sleeve,
frequent handwashing, staying home when sick and getting a flu shot.
Follow other common sense advice like not sharing cups, straws or eating utensils, avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth, and clean commonly-touched surfaces (door knobs, refrigerator handles, telephones, etc). Also, eat a variety of foods from all food groups, exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep every night. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), proper handwashing is the single most important action that people can take to keep from getting sick and from spreading illness to others.
"The key to avoiding so many illnesses comes down to handwashing. This simple act can dramatically reduce the spread of infection and the number of sick days," she added. "If you do end up developing flu-like symptoms, the best advice is to stay home, rest and drink plenty of fluids."
Seasonal flu symptoms develop quickly and include fever and a sore throat and/or coughing, body aches, chills and headache. Reported H1N1 symptoms are similar to seasonal flu and may also include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The symptoms of the common cold are generally much milder than the flu, develop more slowly and usually do not include a fever.
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