Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
As H1N1 Virus Spreads, Experts Advise Co-Habitants To Plan
Officials Advise People Washing Hands, Practice Good Hygiene
Updated: 8:06 pm CDT September 14, 2009
MADISON, Wis. --
As the H1N1 flu virus continues to spread throughout the country, many local households are finding themselves in a very difficult position in terms of what to do if one person falls sick with the illnesses while those that share their home are still healthy.
Medical experts are urging healthy families to formulate a plan if and when members start to get sick.
The virus, also know as the swine flu, has already hit the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus and has quickly spread, but health officials are offering advice on how people can protect themselves.
Seth Boffeli, of the state Department of Public Health, said that people can protect themselves just by washing their hands, among other steps.
"It basically comes down to good, basic hygiene practices that are more important now than ever," he said.
Most health experts said people should treat the H1N1 flu virus as they would the normal flu. They said that those who have it should stay home while those who don't should be extra careful not to catch it. Officials suggest people avoid direct contact with those who are sick and sanitize everything that person might have touched.
"The most important thing is to monitor yourself for symptoms," Boffeli said.
Medical experts said that as long as people feel healthy and they're not showing symptoms, they're fine to do anything they would normally do.
Dr. James Conway, who is a pediatric infectious disease expert at UW Health, said that simple precautions can stem the spread of the H1N1 virus.
"I think as long as you're careful when you're at home with somebody who has got one of these respiratory illnesses and can be confident that you've been careful about washing your hands and not being in too close contact, you can go about your business," he said.
Get embed codeSave & Share
Experts said that liquid hand sanitizers are great to keep around as are bleach wipes to make sure a person's home and office are germ free.
They said that if anyone starts to feel sick, don't take any chances and head home and call a physician. People should watch out for symptoms such as aches and pains, a cough, fever or sore throat.
"(If) you feel those symptoms, call your doctor right away," Boffeli said.
He said that people should stay home until their temperature is back to normal for about 24 hours.
State officials have put together a handy tool-kit for families that have questions or concerns about H1N1.
http://www.channel3000.com/health/20913307/detail.html
Officials Advise People Washing Hands, Practice Good Hygiene
Updated: 8:06 pm CDT September 14, 2009
MADISON, Wis. --
As the H1N1 flu virus continues to spread throughout the country, many local households are finding themselves in a very difficult position in terms of what to do if one person falls sick with the illnesses while those that share their home are still healthy.
Medical experts are urging healthy families to formulate a plan if and when members start to get sick.
The virus, also know as the swine flu, has already hit the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus and has quickly spread, but health officials are offering advice on how people can protect themselves.
Seth Boffeli, of the state Department of Public Health, said that people can protect themselves just by washing their hands, among other steps.
"It basically comes down to good, basic hygiene practices that are more important now than ever," he said.
Most health experts said people should treat the H1N1 flu virus as they would the normal flu. They said that those who have it should stay home while those who don't should be extra careful not to catch it. Officials suggest people avoid direct contact with those who are sick and sanitize everything that person might have touched.
"The most important thing is to monitor yourself for symptoms," Boffeli said.
Medical experts said that as long as people feel healthy and they're not showing symptoms, they're fine to do anything they would normally do.
Dr. James Conway, who is a pediatric infectious disease expert at UW Health, said that simple precautions can stem the spread of the H1N1 virus.
"I think as long as you're careful when you're at home with somebody who has got one of these respiratory illnesses and can be confident that you've been careful about washing your hands and not being in too close contact, you can go about your business," he said.
Get embed codeSave & Share
Experts said that liquid hand sanitizers are great to keep around as are bleach wipes to make sure a person's home and office are germ free.
They said that if anyone starts to feel sick, don't take any chances and head home and call a physician. People should watch out for symptoms such as aches and pains, a cough, fever or sore throat.
"(If) you feel those symptoms, call your doctor right away," Boffeli said.
He said that people should stay home until their temperature is back to normal for about 24 hours.
State officials have put together a handy tool-kit for families that have questions or concerns about H1N1.
http://www.channel3000.com/health/20913307/detail.html