Heads up: U.S. Declares Health Emergency

Posted on April 26, 2009
Filed Under Uncategorized

From Huff Post:

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Swine Flu Survival: Three Simple Ways to Protect Yourself

From SF Chronicle:

U.S. Declares Health Emergency

Government takes the precautionary step in an effort to deal with emerging new swine flu.

From the CDC:

Note:

From the CDC web site (section for people who are traveleing to areas where acases of this flu have been reported, not suggested for people in areas where the flu has not been reported)

During your visit to an area affected by swine Influenza

Monitor the local situation

Pay attention to announcements from the local government.
Follow local public health guidelines, including any movement restrictions and prevention recommendations.

Practice healthy habits to help stop the spread of influenza

Wash your hands often with soap and water. This removes germs from your skin and helps prevent diseases from spreading.
- Use waterless alcohol-based hand gels (containing at least 60% alcohol) when soap is not available and hands are not visibly dirty.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and put your used tissue in a wastebasket.
If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand gel.
Follow all local health recommendations. For example, you may be asked to put on a surgical mask to protect others.

Seek medical care if you feel sick

If you become sick with a fever plus a cough and sore throat or have trouble breathing, seek medical care right away. Tell the doctor if you have had contact with a sick person or farm animals while traveling.
Antiviral Medications: You may want to ask your doctor for prescription antiviral medications to take on your trip as a precaution since the seasonal influenza vaccine is not expected to protect against infection with swine flu viruses. CDC recommends two prescription influenza antiviral drugs to treat and/or prevent swine flu. The drugs are oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (brand name 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. If you get sick, they can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious health problems from developing. For treatment, the drugs work best if started within 2 days of getting sick. Talk to your doctor about correct indications for treatment or prevention. Always seek medical care if you are severely ill.
You should avoid further travel until you are free of symptoms, unless traveling locally for medical care.