Cover Coughs and Sneezes, Don’t Spread Diseases: Swine Flu Prevention

Swine Flu, or swine influenza A (H1N1), has gotten the world into a panic. So far, there have been no confirmed cases of the disease in Delaware, and the state is trying to keep it that way by increasing activation of the State Health Operations Center (SHOC) to level 2, which will amplify monitoring for the disease locally.

Medical personnel have been alerted to be extra vigilant with patients presenting flu-like symptoms, especially if they live or have recently traveled to areas with known cases.

Fortunately, there are preventative measures that can be easily adopted by everyone.

• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently, especially after you cough or sneeze.

• Try to avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.

• Cough or sneeze into a tissue and dispose of it after use.

• Try to avoid sick people, since it is believed that swine flu is transmitted person-to-person when infected people cough or sneeze. Likewise, if you are sick, stay home from work or school to help prevent spreading your illness.

These efforts will help keep you healthy from an array of germs that spread person-to-person.

Pork-lovers can still enjoy another slab of bacon, since the flu does not spread through food.

For more information, please visit the Division of Public Health’s webpage.