This virus spreads from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that seasonal influenza viruses spread, through coughing and sneezing. Cough etiquette and hand washing are essential to stopping the spread and preventing exposure to the virus.
Wash Hands:
Before eating or preparing food.
After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
After using restroom facilities.
Handwashing Technique
Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Rinse well, with hands held downward. Dry with a paper towel, then use the towel to turn off the faucet.
For health reasons, IBM is only recommending hand sanitizers be present in work areas when soap and water are not available. Though hand sanitizers can be effective in killing some germs, they are less effective than soap and water for removal of germ containing debris on the hands that can be deposited when coughing and sneezing.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs often spread when a person touches something contaminated and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth.
Go home if you get sick at work
Ill individuals should leave the work environment immediately or as soon as possible. Inform your manager or lead that you are ill and need to leave the workplace. Keep at least 1 meter/3 feet from others to protect them from getting sick. Practice cough etiquette. Cover your mouth and nose if coughing or sneezing, using tissues and disposing of them properly. Wash your hands afterward.
For tips on how to stay healthy while traveling, please check the Online Swine Flu Help. For country specific advisories and mandatory quarantine or restrictions on community movement for those who exhibit H1N1 illness symptoms or were exposed to ill travelers, please refer to International SOS Country Guides (see Closures & Quarantine, Airport Screening or Travel Restrictions) or country government agencies such as embassies and state departments.
Showing posts with label Pandemic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pandemic. Show all posts
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Precautions to keep swine flu
Here are ten tips for you to keep away from the pandemic.
1. Wash your hands frequently
Use the antibacterial soaps to cleanse your hands. Wash them often, at least 15 seconds and rinse with running water.
2. Get enough sleep
Try to get 8 hours of good sleep every night to keep your immune system in top flu-fighting shape.
3. Drink sufficient water
Drink 8 to10 glasses of water each day to flush toxins from your system and maintain good moisture and mucous production in your sinuses.
4. Boost your immune system
Keeping your body strong, nourished, and ready to fight infection is important in flu prevention. So stick with whole grains, colorful vegetables, and vitamin-rich fruits.
5. Keep informed
The government is taking necessary steps to prevent the pandemic and periodically release guidelines to keep the pandemic away. Please make sure to keep up to date on the information and act in a calm manner.
6. Avoid alcohol
Apart from being a mood depressant, alcohol is an immune suppressant that can actually decrease your resistance to viral infections like swine flu. So stay away from alcoholic drinks so that your immune system may be strong.
7. Be physically active
Moderate exercise can support the immune system by increasing circulation and oxygenating the body. For example brisk walking for 30-40 minutes 3-4 times a week will significantly perk up your immunity.
8. Keep away from sick people
Flu virus spreads when particles dispersed into the air through a cough or sneeze reach someone else's nose. So if you have to be around someone who is sick, try to stay a few feet away from them and especially, avoid physical contact.
9. Know when to get help
Consult your doctor if you have a cough and fever and follow their instructions, including taking medicine as prescribed.
10. Avoid crowded areas
Try to avoid unnecessary trips outside.
1. Wash your hands frequently
Use the antibacterial soaps to cleanse your hands. Wash them often, at least 15 seconds and rinse with running water.
2. Get enough sleep
Try to get 8 hours of good sleep every night to keep your immune system in top flu-fighting shape.
3. Drink sufficient water
Drink 8 to10 glasses of water each day to flush toxins from your system and maintain good moisture and mucous production in your sinuses.
4. Boost your immune system
Keeping your body strong, nourished, and ready to fight infection is important in flu prevention. So stick with whole grains, colorful vegetables, and vitamin-rich fruits.
5. Keep informed
The government is taking necessary steps to prevent the pandemic and periodically release guidelines to keep the pandemic away. Please make sure to keep up to date on the information and act in a calm manner.
6. Avoid alcohol
Apart from being a mood depressant, alcohol is an immune suppressant that can actually decrease your resistance to viral infections like swine flu. So stay away from alcoholic drinks so that your immune system may be strong.
7. Be physically active
Moderate exercise can support the immune system by increasing circulation and oxygenating the body. For example brisk walking for 30-40 minutes 3-4 times a week will significantly perk up your immunity.
8. Keep away from sick people
Flu virus spreads when particles dispersed into the air through a cough or sneeze reach someone else's nose. So if you have to be around someone who is sick, try to stay a few feet away from them and especially, avoid physical contact.
9. Know when to get help
Consult your doctor if you have a cough and fever and follow their instructions, including taking medicine as prescribed.
10. Avoid crowded areas
Try to avoid unnecessary trips outside.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Exit, first flu victim
The number of inmates in the isolation ward of the Infectious Diseases Hospital, where swine flu suspects and patients are quarantined, has dropped from seven to two since Sunday.
Seven-year-old Shruti Ghosh, the city’s first swine flu victim, was released from the Beleghata hospital on Monday.
Sourav Lahiri, who got himself admitted on Saturday with fever, tested negative for swine flu and was also released during the day.
“Shruti’s course of Tamiflu is over and she is not having fever anymore. Her parents have been asked to keep her quarantined at home for a few more days,” said Tapas Sen, the nodal officer for tackling swine flu in the state.
Shruti’s mother Sonali, who was staying with the girl in the 20-bed ward that has been divided by a curtain to separate male and female patients, had tested negative for swine flu.
The Oman residents had arrived in Calcutta last Tuesday after holidaying in Australia. Shruti was suffering from cough and fever when she landed at the city airport and was taken straight to the hospital.
The Delhi-based National Institute of Communicable Diseases, where nasal and throat swabs were sent for test, informed the hospital on June 25 that the girl was suffering from swine flu.
The only ones left in the Beleghata isolation ward are four-year-old Suchismita Das, who had tested positive for swine flu on Saturday, and her mother.
“Suchismita’s condition is stable. Her fever has subsided but she is still on medication,” said a source in the hospital.
Suchismita and her parents arrived in Calcutta from Bangkok, where they had gone on a holiday, early on Friday.
Prem Chand Yadav and Suchismita’s father Partha were released on Sunday after their swab tests proved negative.
Lahiri, 26, was the only patient who had voluntarily walked into the hospital and wanted to be tested for swine flu. He had been suffering from fever since returning from Bangkok a week ago.
Seven-year-old Shruti Ghosh, the city’s first swine flu victim, was released from the Beleghata hospital on Monday.
Sourav Lahiri, who got himself admitted on Saturday with fever, tested negative for swine flu and was also released during the day.
“Shruti’s course of Tamiflu is over and she is not having fever anymore. Her parents have been asked to keep her quarantined at home for a few more days,” said Tapas Sen, the nodal officer for tackling swine flu in the state.
Shruti’s mother Sonali, who was staying with the girl in the 20-bed ward that has been divided by a curtain to separate male and female patients, had tested negative for swine flu.
The Oman residents had arrived in Calcutta last Tuesday after holidaying in Australia. Shruti was suffering from cough and fever when she landed at the city airport and was taken straight to the hospital.
The Delhi-based National Institute of Communicable Diseases, where nasal and throat swabs were sent for test, informed the hospital on June 25 that the girl was suffering from swine flu.
The only ones left in the Beleghata isolation ward are four-year-old Suchismita Das, who had tested positive for swine flu on Saturday, and her mother.
“Suchismita’s condition is stable. Her fever has subsided but she is still on medication,” said a source in the hospital.
Suchismita and her parents arrived in Calcutta from Bangkok, where they had gone on a holiday, early on Friday.
Prem Chand Yadav and Suchismita’s father Partha were released on Sunday after their swab tests proved negative.
Lahiri, 26, was the only patient who had voluntarily walked into the hospital and wanted to be tested for swine flu. He had been suffering from fever since returning from Bangkok a week ago.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Flu Pandemic Seminar 9th July LONDON
Aimed at CEOs, Directors, Senior Managers, Facility Managers, and business consultants.
This seminar is to help enable business and public bodies to plan for a possible flu pandemic. It covers all the essential information relating to affects of a pandemic, how to mitigate its impact and how to develop a pandemic plan.
Seminar Outline
Understand - the affect of a pandemic on the organisation
Businesses need to understand the affect of the pandemic on their business model. Restrictions on travel, restrictions on large gatherings, reduced staff attendence and disruption to supply all have significant impact on the successful operation of business and organisation.
Mitigate - the impact of the pandemic on the organisation
Businesses will need to take action to ensure that the impact of a flu pandemic is minimised. Supply chain is particularly important here, with supplies being stockpiled and alternative suppliers considered. Infrastructure amends will also need to be considered, including rerouting of telephone systems and purchasing of laptops.
Plan - for the action taken leading up to, and during the pandemic
This will be a series of actions which should be implemented as each of the WHO phases are reached. It is essential to have the plan written and, ideally, tested, as soon as possible.
The seminar will use case studies, exercises and personal experiences of developing pandemic plans within a number of different organisations to help develop the participant understanding of business continuity.
The Flu Pandemic seminar costs £400 (Excluding VAT).
The seminar runs from 10 am to 4 pm.
Book Here Now
This seminar is to help enable business and public bodies to plan for a possible flu pandemic. It covers all the essential information relating to affects of a pandemic, how to mitigate its impact and how to develop a pandemic plan.
Seminar Outline
Understand - the affect of a pandemic on the organisation
Businesses need to understand the affect of the pandemic on their business model. Restrictions on travel, restrictions on large gatherings, reduced staff attendence and disruption to supply all have significant impact on the successful operation of business and organisation.
Mitigate - the impact of the pandemic on the organisation
Businesses will need to take action to ensure that the impact of a flu pandemic is minimised. Supply chain is particularly important here, with supplies being stockpiled and alternative suppliers considered. Infrastructure amends will also need to be considered, including rerouting of telephone systems and purchasing of laptops.
Plan - for the action taken leading up to, and during the pandemic
This will be a series of actions which should be implemented as each of the WHO phases are reached. It is essential to have the plan written and, ideally, tested, as soon as possible.
The seminar will use case studies, exercises and personal experiences of developing pandemic plans within a number of different organisations to help develop the participant understanding of business continuity.
The Flu Pandemic seminar costs £400 (Excluding VAT).
The seminar runs from 10 am to 4 pm.
Book Here Now
Friday, May 1, 2009
Pandemic 'could kill 750,000 in UK'
Up to 1.2 million people could end up in hospital and 750,000 killed if a flu pandemic sweeps the nation, according to draft Government guidance about an outbreak. Skip related content
As hospitals are "rapidly" overwhelmed by patients, doctors may have to begin operating a lottery system for intensive care, the blueprint from last year adds.
It also warns that a worst-case pandemic scenario of "catastrophic severity" could result in the "complete or partial collapse of some or all hospital infrastructures".
Top medics have downplayed the predictions, saying factors like Britain's high state of readiness and high immunity levels will lessen the impact.
The bleak forecasts come in "Pandemic influenza: Surge capacity and prioritisation in health services", which was prepared by the Department of Health (DH) last September.
It says up to half the UK population - or 30 million people - could get influenza if the bug outbreak turns into a pandemic.
In the worst case, there would be 2,000 hospital admissions per 100,000 people - or 1.2 million people. There would also be 1,250 fatalities per 100,000 - or 750,000 people.
The report says: "Over the entire period of a pandemic, up to 50% of the population may show clinical symptoms of influenza.
"This could result in the total healthcare contacts for influenza-like illness increasing from around one million during a 'normal' season up to 30 million."
There are also grim implications for the demand of the nation's estimated 3,450 adult intensive care beds and 320 children's.
As hospitals are "rapidly" overwhelmed by patients, doctors may have to begin operating a lottery system for intensive care, the blueprint from last year adds.
It also warns that a worst-case pandemic scenario of "catastrophic severity" could result in the "complete or partial collapse of some or all hospital infrastructures".
Top medics have downplayed the predictions, saying factors like Britain's high state of readiness and high immunity levels will lessen the impact.
The bleak forecasts come in "Pandemic influenza: Surge capacity and prioritisation in health services", which was prepared by the Department of Health (DH) last September.
It says up to half the UK population - or 30 million people - could get influenza if the bug outbreak turns into a pandemic.
In the worst case, there would be 2,000 hospital admissions per 100,000 people - or 1.2 million people. There would also be 1,250 fatalities per 100,000 - or 750,000 people.
The report says: "Over the entire period of a pandemic, up to 50% of the population may show clinical symptoms of influenza.
"This could result in the total healthcare contacts for influenza-like illness increasing from around one million during a 'normal' season up to 30 million."
There are also grim implications for the demand of the nation's estimated 3,450 adult intensive care beds and 320 children's.
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