AH1N1

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick? Good health practices when the is sickness in the home.

• Teach your family to wash their hands with soap OFTEN Help the children to wash their hands and upper arms singing Happy Birthday, Bahay Kubo (Philippine Children Song) or Popcorn popping song and have them wash until they sing the full song then rinse well.
• Clean up all trash and junk piles, these areas make great homes for rats, rodents and mice and they carry disease.
• Eat foods that are high in vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) Drink a lots of liquids, eat good meals and get a lot of rest.
• If any member of the family is sick / has fever do not let them go to work or school you should self quarantine / or go into insulation.
• Stay away from other people that are or have had sickness or fever in there homes. Add a couple drops of plain household bleach to your dish water to kill germs.
• Learn and teach your family to keep your hands away from your mouth and face, unless you are covering a sneeze. Germs spread this way.
• Teach your children to keep their fingers / hands from their nose, eyes and their personal parts of their body.
• Be sure those that are taking care of your family members (day care) follow good safety and health guidance.
• Should the person get sick or have fever you should replace there toothbrush or soak it in light bleach water and rinse really well.
• Everyone should have their own glass / cup and not drink out of another.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Stay home if you are sick for 7-10 days after the symptom-free for 48 hours, whichever is longer. this is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.

What is the signs / symptoms?
AH1N1 influenza A virus / flu infection can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body ache, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with this flu. people with this flu also have vomiting and diarrhea. Like seasonal flu, flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Severe pneumonia, respiratory failure and even death is possible with AH1N1 flu infection. Certain group might be more likely to develop a severe illness from this flu infection, such a persons with chronic medical conditions. Sometimes bacterial infections may be occur at the same time as or after infection with influenza viruses and lead to pneumonia, ear infections, or sinus infections.

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

Fast breathing or trouble breathing

• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worst cough
• Fever with rash

In adult, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

Take Care of Yourself by Glee

Nutrition and Mental Health