H1N1: Your Plan for Not Planning to Get Sick

Justin Hoppes, PharmD Candidate 2010

Bernard J, Dunn School of Pharmacy, Shenandoah University

Prepared during Consumer Health Information Corporation Clerkship
McLean, VA

Respiratory droplets released after a sneeze. (Source: CDC)

Everyone has been talking about it. Health officials are worried about it. Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent it.  It is the 2009 H1N1 inFLUenza virus, formerly known as swine flu. With over
1 million cases in the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has made this virus one of its top priorities. But until the vaccine becomes available sometime this month, what are the best ways to avoid it? In short, no method is 100% guaranteed to work but there are several ways to help lower your risk of getting sick:

Keep your distance  

• H1N1 is a respiratory disease that is most commonly spread from respiratory droplets produced by coughs and sneezes of an infected person.  If a sick person coughs/sneezes into their hands, they can contaminate anything they touch.

• Anyone within 6 feet of a sick person is in the ‘hot zone’. Simply being this close to someone with the swine flu increases your chances of catching the flu.   
    

 Do not touch your face 

• Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.  The virus can be transferred to these areas after you touch something that a sick person has touched and you can get sick.
  
  

 Sneeze the right way 

• Sneeze/cough into your elbow or into your tissue-covered hands.  Immediately flushing the tissue down the toilet is the best way to get rid of the germs;  otherwise, throw the tissue in the garbage as soon as possible

• If you do cough or sneeze in your uncovered hands, wash them immediately. If you do not, anything you touch can spread it to the next person that touches it.  The virus has been shown to stay alive for 2-8 hours once it is attached to objects like doorknobs, counter tops, keyboards, pens and pencils, etc. 
  
  

 Wash your hands the right way 

• Wash your hands often during the day, especially after you cough or sneeze. Use warm water and soap and wash for at least 20 seconds.

• Antibacterial soap is not better than regular soap because swine flu is caused by viruses, not bacteria. Therefore, either detergent soap or antibacterial soap will work.

• If soap is not available, alcohol-based hand cleaners work just as well and do not require water; simply place gel hands and rub together until the gel is gone. 
  
  

Wear a mask 

• There are two types of masks: surgical masks and N95 respirators.  In general, a facemask (or surgical mask) is designed to protect other people from the person wearing it, whereas, a respirator protects the wearer from the environment.  Both are disposable and should be replaced if they are damaged, soiled or if breathing becomes difficult. Check with your doctor before use if you have breathing problems as these devices can make breathing more difficult.To safely discard, place it in a plastic bag and put it in the trash. Wash your hands after handling as described above. Both can be purchased at medical supply stores and community pharmacies.
  
  
• They look the same and can decrease the risk of spreading germs but they have different properties. The table below compares the two:

Be Prepared … 

Nothing in this country is guaranteed, aside from death and taxes, but the suggestions above are the most current recommendations for preventing H1N1 sickness. And in this day in age with high speed trains, fast planes and super cars, it is spreading very quickly. If you do start to experience flu-like symptoms you should stay home and avoid close contact with people except to get medical care. The most common symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat and some also experience diarrhea and vomitting. They can range from mild to severe and last several weeks. So, when you start noticing that half your classmates or co-workers are missing, you will know that flu season is in full swing.

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