News of the swine flu outbreak is everywhere, but there are simple things that we all can do to prevent its spread. Below are six steps from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (MTTI-WellSpring’s accrediting agency) to stay healthy!
1. Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
2. Wash your hands properly:
- Wet your hands with warm water and apply soap.
- Rub your hands together for 20 seconds, or about the time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice. Make sure to get between your fingers and underneath your nails.
- Rinse hands with water.
- Dry hands using a disposable paper towel.
Wash your hands after:
- Coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose
- Using the bathroom
- Taking out the garbage
3. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. Then throw the tissue away. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your hands and wash your hands right away.
4. Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth. This is how germs are spread and how you can get sick.
5. Consider a face mask. If you live in an area where swine flu has been identified and you cannot avoid crowded settings or close contact with others, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention suggests the use of a face mask.
- Sleep seven to eight hours each night.
- Exercise regularly.
- Try to manage stress.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Eat nutritious foods.
More info on the outbreak is available at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/. Be safe out there!