Avoid the flu
A recent poll on the H1N1 flu conducted by the American Red Cross found that more Americans are taking or planning on taking extra measures to cover their coughs and sneezes with a tissue (78 percent) or wash their hands more carefully (76 percent) to avoid getting the flu.
The survey also found:
- 62 percent plan on being vaccinated against this new flu virus if one is offered
- Only 1 in 10 of those surveyed by the Red Cross claimed to be very worried about H1N1 flu
- 93 percent of Americans are taking or planning to take at least one action to guard against this new flu.
- Nearly half of those surveyed (46 percent) plan on assembling a two-week supply of food, water and medicine that they might need in the event they or someone in their family becomes sick and need to stay home for extended periods of time.
- Women are more likely to take protective actions, with 84 percent making an extra effort to cover coughs and sneezes (versus 71 percent for men), and 81 percent washing their hands more carefully and more often (compared to 71 percent for men).
The Red Cross urges people to remember these simple actions to help guard against the flu:
- Take the Red Cross Pandemic Preparedness Course
- Download our Seasonal Flu Checklist
- Parents should review flu plans at their children’s schools and day care centers.
- Employees should ask about work policies on tele-working or staying home when a relative is sick with the flu or a child’s school is closed.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Cover your mouth and nose with tissues when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow.
- Minimize contact with people who are sick as much as possible, and stay home when you are sick.
- Get flu shots for both seasonal flu and H1N1. Get the seasonal flu shot early. Groups at the highest risk for contracting H1N1 should get vaccinated as soon as shots become available.
- Stock homes with extra food, water and supplies to reduce the need to go out in public when taking care of a sick loved one or if schools and businesses have temporarily closed due to widespread outbreak.
Tips for Travelers
Before traveling…
- If sick, stay home. It’s disappointing to not be able to join in the family celebration, but act responsibly and stay home to avoid spreading the flu.
- It’s possible to spread the flu virus one day before actually showing symptoms. Those who have been in close contact with a sick individual should be extra careful about using good hand hygiene and cough etiquette and very aware of what might be flu symptoms.
While traveling…
- Wash hands with soap and water as often as possible. If soap and water aren’t available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Use sanitizing wipes to disinfect hard surfaces such as airplane tray tables, luggage handles, cell phones, door handles and seat armrests.
- Remember to wash hands or use a hand sanitizer before eating any meals or snacks. It’s important to remember that you are touching a lot of surfaces that others are touching as well. Make sure your hands are clean before you put anything into your mouth.
- Bring personal blankets, pillows and earphones to avoid using something which may have been in contact with the flu virus.
- After washing hands in a public restroom, turn off the faucet with a paper towel. Then use another paper towel to dry hands and open the door when exiting the restroom.
Over the holidays
Holidays all about food, family and friends. Here are some steps that will help keep the celebration happy and healthy:
- Avoid the usual kisses and handshakes when greeting friends and family.
- If hosting the holiday dinner and someone in the household becomes ill, make sure that they can be isolated into a separate area for care, or ask another family member to host dinner to avoid spreading the flu.
- Wash hands frequently, before preparing food, while cooking, and especially before eating.
- Keep plenty of hand soap in the bathroom, preferably in a pump container. Skip the pretty hand towels this year and instead use disposable hand towels or a roll of paper towels.
- Consider putting the glasses away this year and using plastic cups, or provide a way for guests to identify their drinks. Don’t drink out of anyone else’s glass.
- Put serving utensils in every dish, including snacks like nuts, pretzels, etc. This allows people to spoon out their portion instead of reaching in with their hands.
- Remember—always cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and clean hands afterwards. If no tissue is available, cough or sneeze into the inside of the elbow or upper arm. Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth to prevent spreading germs. Visit Redcross.org for more information on how to keep safe and prepared for any emergency.
The Red Cross recommends storing the following supplies: a two-week supply of food, water, prescription and non-prescription medications, and health and cleaning supplies such as soap, tissues, thermometers, bleach and hand sanitizer. Water should be in clean plastic containers and hold a gallon of water per person per day. Household preparation steps should also include baby supplies, food for special nutritional needs, copies of important personal documents, extra pet food and cash.
The need for blood does not go away during a flu pandemic. As the nation’s largest blood supplier, the Red Cross is prepared to take necessary steps to ensure blood remains available to those in need. Additional precautions will be installed when the CDC or other public health agencies advise of the need.
Schedule an appointment to give blood today
Blood donations staff utilize standard infectious disease precautions everyday to protect donors and staff.
Blood donors will be prescreened for flu symptoms before they enter drive sites. Donors showing flu-like symptoms will be asked to postpone donations for 24 hours after symptoms end.
More flu and preparedness information can be found at the federal government’s flu.gov website.