Prevent Swine Flu!

Here are some simple, quick tips on diagnosing and preventing swine flu from our Nana and Larry. Good luck and stay healthy!

If you have these SYMPTOMS:

• Fever
• Lethargy
• Lack of appetite
• Coughing
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Nausea
• Vomiting, or
• Diarrhea

GO SEE A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. If you think you have swine flu, ask for oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza)--swine flu is not yet resistant to these drugs.

Currently infections have been found in these states:

• Arizona
• California
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Nevada
• New York
• Ohio
• Texas

To prevent getting swine flu, take precaution. DO NOT

• Go to movie theaters or other public places that are unnecessary (until this passes)
• Shake hands - try to avoid when possible
• Touch your face (mouth, nose, eyes) before washing hands
• Take your kids to grocery store (until things settle down)

DO

• Wash your hands often (take longer than usual, get under fingernails)
• Wash hands after you have been anywhere outside your house
• Talk to your kids about washing and not touching face & list of do's and don'ts
• Use sanitizing wipes on grocery cart handle and seat area where you put your purse
• Carry wipes or sanitizing gel to use often while in public places when you can't wash
• Have "No Shoes in House" policy. Bottom of shoes carry germs from all kinds of sources that are now on your carpets and hard surface flooring where you and your family lay and play (urine, feces, saliva, mucus, pesticides, toxins, petroleum, bacteria).
  
• Wash all fruits and vegetables well or scrub with wet soapy paper towel then throw towel away.
  
• Peel fruits and vegetables when you can. Cut leafy tops off before washing to prevent spread of bacteria and pesticides on leaves.
  
• Wash knives and cutting boards often.
  
• If you cut tops & ends or peel pre-washed foods rewash knife and cutting board before cutting cleaned food.

ALSO

• Take quick inventory of food, water, personal supplies & medications on hand.
  
• Make list and keep house stocked with things that you need daily or weekly in case you can't go to grocery store.
  
• Keep car gas tanks above half.

It pays to be on side of caution at all times, not just for this possibility of flu outbreak, but storms, natural disasters or other emergencies that might prevent us from having stores open and full of what we want.

For further information on swine flu, go to http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

Stay healthy!