Handwashing is key to prevention

handsAs reports of swine flu continue to rise in the United States and around the world, the average American is probably asking, “How should I protect myself?”

Health officials’ advice is to follow common-sense precautions: Wash your hands, stay home if you’re sick and listen to your local health authorities.

“Very frequent hand-washing is something that we talk about time and time again and that is an effective way to reduce transmission of disease,” said Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“If you’re sick, it’s very important that people stay at home. If your children are sick, have a fever and flu-like illness, they shouldn’t go to school. And if you’re ill, you shouldn’t get on an airplane or another public transport to travel. Those things are part of personal responsibility in trying to reduce the impact. ”

So far, Mexico has been hardest hit by swine flu. Cases have been confirmed in the United States, as well as countries including Canada, New Zealand, Spain, United Kingdom, and Israel.

“In areas with no disease yet, a lot of what we can do sounds simple and repetitive but helps,” said Dr. Anne Schuchat, interim deputy director of the CDC’s Science and Public Health Program.

In addition to washing hands often, she recommends covering your mouth when coughing and sneezing and avoiding touching your eyes and nose in case the virus is on your hands.

Swine Flu Symptoms

See your doctor if you have:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Body aches
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
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