Friday, May 1, 2009

SWINE FLU SYMPTOMS AND PREVENTION

Following is from an article from AARP Bulletin Today by Katharine Greider dated April 28.

The symptoms of swine flu are essentially indistinguishable from the familiar misery of seasonal flu: fever, coughing, sore throat, body aches, headache, sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. The CDC suggests people worried about such symptoms call their doctor, especially if they live in a community with swine flu cases or have traveled to such an area. More serious problems like difficulty breathing call for emergency medical attention.

Just like regular seasonal flu virus, the swine flu virus is thought to spread on droplets emitted by coughing and sneezing or deposited on hands and surfaces, then transferred to nose or mouth. Thus, practicing the usual precautions will help prevent its spread:
* Use a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw it away promptly. If you don’t have a tissue, cough into your sleeve.
* Wash your hands thoroughly and often, especially after sneezing or coughing, using soap and water or an alcohol rub.
* Wipe surfaces like doorknobs using a regular cleaner.
* If you’re sick with flu-like symptoms, even if you don’t feel sick enough to go to the doctor, stay home from work or school to avoid giving the virus to someone else.

Take care of yourself!!

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

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