Top 6 H1N1 Flu Safeguards

In March 2009 H1N1 flu spread across the globe. The World Health Organization said about 18,450 people died from the virus, including many pregnant women and young people. Today, in Great Britain, it's been reported that the "swine flu" has killed 8 people since September. Great Britain was hit hard by the influenza pandemic of 2009 and at one point had 100,000 new cases of the flu a week.

What can you do to protect yourself from contracting H1N1? Here are several suggestions brought to you by the Dynarex Corporation, which offers medical disposable supplies at an affordable price.

1. Stay home when you're sick. It sounds obvious, but when you're already sick, your immune system is compromised. Whether you have the flu, a cold, or other infection, staying out of populated areas is important because it not only stops your disease from spreading to others, but keeps you from catching something else in turn complicating the illness. Deaths from H1N1 are almost always the result of an already weakened immune system.

2. Cover your mouth when you sneeze and cough. If you can't, use a medical face mask. It's important to stop the spread of the flu virus. The flu is spread by person to person by contact from respiratory droplets. Covering your mouth will protect others from catching your flu, and protect you from catching someone's flu.

3. Wash your hands. The respiratory droplets that contain flu viruses can keep the viruses alive on surfaces for many hours, even days. Viruses have been shown to live longer on surfaces like steel and plastic, which most of us routinely touch without wearing disposable gloves. Protect yourself by washing your hands often.

4. Use disposable wipes. Because viruses can live on surfaces for long periods, it makes sense to use surface wipes. Hospitals and kitchens have long understood the need for surface cleansers, but you should take similar precautions at the home and office. Scientific studies show consistently that using surface wipes prevents disease transmission.

5. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers. When using hand sanitizer in conjunction with regular hand washing, the odds of catching viruses drops tremendously. Dynarex 1305 Nice 'n Fresh Moist Towelette Wipes work, as well as a variety of alcohol based gel products.

6. Get a seasonal flu shot. If you are at high risk for the flu, a seasonal flu shot is highly recommended by the CDC. The flu shot, while controversial, is often the best defense against the influenza virus. The shot is only useful, before you get sick, so talk to your doctor and find out if it's right for you. Flu shots are often provided at low cost at your neighborhood pharmacy.

Nobody wants to get sick, and nobody wants a highly contagious and dangerous H1N1 virus. While there's no cure for the flu, and no sure way to prevent catching it, if you practice these safeguards you'll at least be far safer.