LHJ's Guide to Swine Flu

The Latest Updates on Swine Flu

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) For national news and tips to protect you and your family.

World Health Organization (WHO) For official announcements with a global perspective.

Health Map Plots reports of suspected and confirmed cases of swine flu on a Google Map.

Follow their updates on Twitter:
@CDCemergency
@WHOnews
@HealthMap

How to Stay Healthy

• Wash your hands. According to the CDC, up to 80 percent of all infections can be transmitted by hands. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 15 to 20 seconds. If you're on the road, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and rub until the gel is dry.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Stay active.
• Drink fluids and eat healthily. By the way, you can't get swine flu from eating pork.
• Avoid close contact with those who are sick.

The Symptoms of Swine Flu

• Fever
• Feeling tired
• Lack of appetite
• Coughing

Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Of course, any of these symptoms could also mean you just have a bad cold or ordinary flu. But to be on the safe side, follow the tips below.

What to Do If You Feel Sick

• Stay home. Limit your contact with other people, and do not go to work or school. The CDC recommends staying home for 7 days after you start having symptoms.
• Cover your mouth and nose. Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and throw it out afterwards. Then be sure to wash your hands.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Drink clear fluids. Water, broth, and sports drinks are good choices.
• Contact your doctor. If you start noticing flu-like symptoms and are living in an area where cases of swine flu have been reported, call your healthcare provider to determine the next steps you should take. You may require antiviral drugs. Do not give your child or teenager aspirin to control fever; in rare cases, this can cause Reye's syndrome.

More tips from the CDC

Back-to-School: Protecting Against Swine Flu

• You don't need to keep your child home. The CDC currently recommends that schools watch for symptoms among students and staff, isolate those who appear sick, and send them home. In most cases, schools are supposed to stay open and parents shouldn't keep healthy children at home.
• Encourage your child to wash her hands frequently and to cover her nose and mouth with a tissue or shirtsleeve if she coughs or sneezes.
  
  

• Make sure she gets plenty of sleep and drinks clear fluids
• Contact your doctor promptly for advice on the next steps to take. Your child may benefit from antiviral drugs, but these work best if taken within 48 hours of getting symptoms.
• Keep her home until at least 24 hours after her fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
• Do not give your child or teenager aspirin to control fever; in rare cases, this can cause Reye's syndrome.

Originally published on LHJ.com, April 2009.