Public Health officials provide Swine Flu prevention tips

  • Published
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  With the recent cases of swine flu in the news the Arizona Department of Health Services officials have released a statement that they have not seen the virus but are monitoring the situation. 

The state is also prepared to test influenza samples from across the state. 

"Influenza is a constantly-evolving virus. We've been watching for something like this for years," said Dr. Karen Lewis, Arizona Department of Health Immunization Program medical director. "The important part of the equation is identifying a new virus. Then we can diagnose and treat the people who have it." 

Below are some of the things to watch for that may be related to swine flu and some tips to help stave off sickness in general. 

Symptoms and complications
Symptoms of the swine flu are similar to the regular human flu which includes high fever, headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Some complications are ear and sinus infections, dehydration or worsening of existing medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes. 

How the flu is spread
Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections have occurred. Usually these cases occur in persons in direct contact with pigs. 

Occasionally swine flu is passed from human to human. The main way people spread the flu virus is coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Other ways include touching things that people infected with the flu virus have touched with their hands (door knobs, hand rails, elevator buttons). Infected people can infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five days after becoming sick. That means you can get other people sick before you know you are sick. Swine influenza cannot be passed by eating pork. 

There is no vaccine to protect humans from the swine flu. The seasonal flu vaccines would not provide protection from swine flu viruses. 

One of the best ways to help prevent contracting the flu and passing it to someone else is hand-washing. 

Hand washing tips
· Wet hands, use soap and scrub hands vigorously for 20 seconds
· If possible, turn off the faucet with a paper towel
· Dry hands with a paper towel
· Use the paper towel to open the door when exiting the restroom
· Always try to wash your hands, but if a hand washing facility is unavailable, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer will disinfect your hands but dirt will still be on your hands.
· Be sure to always wash hands prior to eating, after sneezing and coughing, and after using the restroom. 

Traveling
The Air Education and Training Command Surgeon General recommends members avoid permanent-changes-of-station or business travel if: 

· Traveler has influenza-like illness - fever higher than 101, cough with sore throat
· Known exposure to a case or suspected case
· Family members or close contacts are have influenza-like illness
If any of the three conditions are met - Do Not Travel. 

Practice healthy habits
· Avoid close contact with individuals who are sick
· Stay home (if possible) when you're sick
· Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing
· Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food 

For more information, call Public Health at (623) 856-6174. 

Courtesy 56th Aerospace Medicine Squadron