How to Prepare for the Swine Flu Pandemic
Emergency Supplies You Need to Fight H1N1 Influenza
Nov 3, 2009
Flu season is upon us, and this year, the public is dealing with both the regular seasonal flu as well as the H1N1 or "swine" influenza virus. Even if you are in the best of health and/or have received vaccinations in an effort to protect against the seasonal or swine influenza viruses, it is a good idea to make preparations to ensure that you can properly care for yourself and your loved ones should you (or they) become ill.
Minimize Your Chance of Getting or Spreading Swine Flu
Measures that you can take to minimize the spread of swine flu include the following:
- Wash or Sanitize Hands to Prevent the Spread of Swine Flu: Prevent swine flu infection by washing hands often with soap and using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when washing facilities are not available; this will decrease the likelihood of spreading the virus to your nose, mouth, eyes, or people. Use gloves or promptly sanitize after touching commonly handled things such as retail pin pads, gas pump nozzles, and shopping carts.
- Stock Up on Disinfectant and Cleaning Supplies and Keep Surfaces Clean: In order to minimize the transmission of H1N1 swine flu, stock up on cleaning supplies, like household disinfectant; keep common surfaces such as counters, doorknobs and handles disinfected.
- Fortify Your Immune System: Make sure that you are in the best possible health by practicing optimal nutrition, which means eating whole, unprocessed foods, consuming plenty of green, leafy vegetables, fresh and dried fruits, drinking at least 64 ounces of water each day, and reducing or eliminating sugar from your diet. You may wish to take a multivitamin supplement, including a vitamin D3 supplement to naturally protect against infections.
Be Ready to Treat Minor Flu Symptoms
Flu can strike even if one has taken measures to prevent it. If it does, remember the following:
- Know What to Do If You Get Sick: If you experience flu-like symptoms and are pregnant or have underlying health problems, be sure to contact your health care provider. Also, young children under age five exhibiting flu-like symptoms should be seen by a physician. If you are otherwise healthy and begin to experience flu-like symptoms, it is recommended that you stay home to recover. This means avoiding contact with others until you are no longer infectious. The Public Health Agency of Canada estimates that people are able to spread the H1N1 influenza virus to others from one day before the onset of symptoms to approximately seven days after symptoms have started.
- Stock Up on Medications: Keep on hand a thermometer as well as pain and fever medication such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) to treat fever or headache symptoms. Should you have any underlying health conditions which require essential medication - such as insulin for diabetics - be sure to have extra supplies on hand.
- Stock Up on Water and Non-Perishable Food: During times of crisis such as a health pandemic, plan ahead by stocking canned soup, fruits, vegetables and other non perishable food as well as a good supply of liquids like water and juice, in case you fall ill and can't get to the supermarket.
With the swine flu frenzy all over the media, it's easy to become panicked about the H1N1 influenza pandemic. The good news is you can take some control over your own health, and all of these precautions or steps can be taken whether or not you choose to receive a flu vaccine.
Sources:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca
http://www. mercola.com
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