H1N1 prevention

Twelve tips to stop the H1N1 virus in its tracks
Dec. 7, 2009 | By: Laurie J. Blake

It’s hard to separate hype versus fact when it comes to the H1N1 flu virus. While no one knows exactly what effect the virus will have, one thing is clear: if you want to stay healthy, you’ve got to take the right precautions.

Below are the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety’s top 12 tips for staying healthy this flu season.

1. Get your flu shot. If you really want to stay healthy this flu season, taking this tip will do more to ensure that than all those listed below. 
2. Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly for at least 10-20 seconds, and wash often. 
3. Post instructions about hand washing in all workplaces, bathrooms and eating areas. 
4. Keep alcohol-based hand sanitizers handy and use them often. Do not dry hands with paper towels after using a hand sanitizer. 
5. Some recommend washing your hands with soap and water after five to 10 sanitizer applications. 
6. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Put the tissue in the garbage immediately. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands. 
7. Avoid touching your face and eyes. 
8. Clean handrails, door knobs, light switches, counter tops, sinks and water taps, keyboards, telephones, and other surfaces that may be touched by many people, by using household detergents. You can also sterilize surfaces with bleach (3/4 cup bleach to 1 gallon water) or with rubbing alcohol (undiluted) – although this helps more with destroying viruses and bacteria other than H1N1, which doesn’t live long outside the body.
9. Stay home when you are sick. If someone in your household is sick, consider staying home as well in case you are already infected. 
10. Avoid large crowds where viruses can spread more easily. 
11. Limit face-to-face contact. 
12. Reduce unnecessary travel.

Don’t forget that knowledge is your best defense against any threat.