Since last spring, when the H1N1 virus began spreading throughout the world, health experts have issued all kinds of advice to help contain the illness. Vaccine-makers have worked diligently to produce a vaccine that will prevent this type of influenza, one that differed from other influenzas by affecting younger, healthy individuals, in many cases. The vaccine has been developed, and should be reaching its destinations very soon.
Viruses spread by touching something that has been contaminated by a person’s cough or sneeze droplets, which move through the air. That virus can survive on surfaces (desks, counter tops, doorknobs, etc.) and infect the person who may touch it for 2-8 hours after being deposited on the surface.
Some tips that would be helpful in preventing the spread of germs by keeping things clean are as listed:
1. Use chemical germicides such as chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, iodine-based antiseptics, detergents, soap. These should be used in proper concentrations for the correct amount of time to be effective.
2. Keep surfaces such as bathroom, bedside tables, kitchen counters and toys clean by wiping them down with household disinfectants. Follow label directions.
3. Wash bed sheets and towels used by infected person frequently, and tumble dry them on hot setting.
4. If you are caring for someone who is ill, you may choose to wear a N95 respirator, to help filter germs.
5. Immediately wash your hands after handling laundry or doing other tasks for the person who is ill. Wash your hands often.
6. If you work or attend school where soap and water/hand sanitizer is not readily available, take your own hand sanitizer with you.
We hope that in a matter of weeks, following the inoculations, the cloud of the H1N1 virus we have all been under will pass us by.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
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