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Flu prevention measures should be ongoing

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lauren Ferguson, 579th Medical Wing
  • 11th Wing Public Affairs
AIR FORCE DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON --  Approximately 43,700 people have contracted the H1N1 virus, more commonly known as the swine flu, worldwide. Fortunately, only 517 Air Force members have contracted the virus and no deaths have been reported. As with any pandemic, confusion and misconceptions concerning the virus can cause a sense of fear or even panic in the general public.

As implied by the name, swine flu typically affects only pigs, but because the virus can be spread from pig to human and from human to human, H1N1 spread quickly throughout the world.

Everyone is at risk of contracting the virus, but deaths due to H1N1 typically only occurred because the patients' immune system was compromised by age or an existing health condition. H1N1 is spread much like the seasonal flu, with common actions like touching an object that contains the flu virus and touching one's eyes, mouth or nose. Despite the fact that the swine flu is similar to the human H1N1 virus, vaccines used to treat and prevent human flu viruses are not as effective on the swine flu H1N1 virus. The CDC is currently recommending that oseltamivir and/or zanamirvir is used to treat and prevent the H1N1 swine flu.

Efforts to treat and prevent the spread of H1N1 by use of vaccines are in place, but basic hygiene practices and social distancing measures are some of the best ways to prevent contracting any disease.

If Airmen or family members exhibit symptoms such as a fever of one hundred degrees or greater, sore throat, and/or a cough they should notify their supervisor and stay home or seek medical attention at the emergency room. It is important to remember that most healthy people recover from H1N1 without complications. Getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of water and avoiding alcohol and tobacco will aid in a successful recovery.

An office environment provides close-contact situations with co-workers and customers which makes it easy to spread germs. Covering mouth and nose when sneezing is another way to stop germs. Thoroughly wash hands with soap and warm water for at least twenty seconds after sneezing. A person's lifestyle affects their immune system, and a strong immune system is vital for resisting viruses like H1N1. Getting plenty of sleep, eating nutritious foods, and managing stress are ways to strengthen the body's immune system.

For more information visit the U.S. government's Flu Web site at http://www.flu.gov.