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From CDC: Tips to prevent swine flu and symptoms of strain

May 1, 2009

The following are tips to prevent transmission of swine flu provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Go to its special Web site on the issue at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against H1N1 flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

- If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What should I do if I get sick?

If you live in areas where H1N1 influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

Additionally from the CDC Web site:

- If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

- If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include

- Fast breathing or trouble breathing

- Bluish skin color

- Not drinking enough fluids

- Not waking up or not interacting

- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

- Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

- Sudden dizziness

- Confusion

- Severe or persistent vomiting