How to Avoid Getting Swine Flu
*Cover your nose and mouth with tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissues in the trash after you use them.
*Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also helpful.
*Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
*Wear an approved RESPIRATOR or SURGICAL MASK
*If you are sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
*Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, as germs are spread that way.
*See a doctor if you have swine flu symptoms.

Swine Flu Symptoms
The Swine Flu is well known to scientists and is not a new illness but the newest strain, A H1N1 could reach pandemic levels and is easily spread by humans, which is a new development. Newer versions of Swine Flu are seen annually and are sometimes combined with Bird Flu, but the latest version A/H1N1 also contains a strain of a human flu virus.

Swine Flu symptoms include typical flu symptoms: Aches, pain, sinus problems and fever. A H1N1 spreads quickly and strikes fast; A H1N1 is also a killer flu.

If you feel sick and have been to Mexico, Texas or California or have come in contact with someone who has, be watchful for these Swine Flu symptoms:

*High fever (as high as 105 or more)
*Nausea and vomiting
*Headaches and muscle and/or joint pain.
*Respiratory problems
*Sinus problems
*Diarrhoea and/or dehydration

If you have most or all of these these Swine Flu symptoms, see a doctor or go to hospital and inform friends, family and anyone else you may have daily or close contact with so that they can be tested immediately.

The A H1N1 Swine Flu virus is treatable (so far) with existing anti-viral medications: Tamiflu and Relenza.

Remember, visiting the doctor if you feel unwell will definitely help in preventing the spread of swine flu.

Wear a Facemask or a Respirator
Wearing facemasks and respirators will help control the spread of pandemic flu.

Wear a facemask if:

*You are sick with the flu and think you might have close contact with other people.
* You live with someone who has the flu (you therefore might be in the early stages of infection) and need to be in a crowded place. Limit the amount of time you spend in these crowded places and wear a facemask while you are there.
* You are well and do not expect to be in close contact with a sick person but need to be in a crowded place. Limit the amount of time you spend in these crowded places and wear a facemask while you are there.

Wear a respirator if:

* You are well and you expect to be in close contact with people who are known or thought to be sick with pandemic flu. Limit the amount of time you are in close contact with these people and wear a respirator during this time. These recommendations apply if you must take care of a sick person at home.

What is a facemask?

Facemasks are loose-fitting, disposable masks that cover the nose and mouth. These include products labeled as surgical, dental, medical procedure, isolation, and laser masks.

Facemasks help stop droplets from being spread by the person wearing them. They also keep splashes or sprays from reaching the mouth and nose of the person wearing the flu facemask. They are not designed to protect you against breathing in very small particles. Facemasks should be used once and then thrown away in the trash.

What is a respirator?

A flu respirator (for example, an N95 or higher filtering facepiece respirator) is designed to protect you from breathing in very small particles, which might contain viruses. These types of respirators fit tightly to the face so that most air is inhaled through the filter material. To work the best way, N95 respirators must be specially fitted for each person who wears one (this is called “fit-testing” and is usually done in a workplace where respirators are used). Most of the time, N95 flu respirators are used in construction and other jobs that involve dust and small particles. Some healthcare workers, such as nurses and doctors, use these types of respirators when taking care of patients with diseases that can be spread through the air.

If you have a heart or lung disease or other health condition, you may have trouble breathing through respirators and you should talk with your doctor before using a respirator.

Like surgical masks, N95 respirators should be worn only once and then thrown away in the trash.

Additional Information

Neither flu facemasks nor a respirator will give complete protection from the flu. That is why it is important to wash your hands often, cover your coughs and sneezes with a handkerchief or your arm, and avoid crowds and gatherings during a pandemic. To learn more about these and other issues relating to pandemic influenza.

To Parents
Please do not send your children to school should they feel unwell. Thank you.