H1N1 Swine Flu Virus Emergency

By: Andy Hodges
Staff Writer
Published: Oct 28, 2009

Protect Yourself From H1N1 Swine Flu Virus

There are growing concerns that suggest that swine flu infection levels are on the rise as the H1N1 virus continues to spread. On Saturday, the government has declared a swine flu virus emergency. If you've watched TV during the past few days, I'm sure you've seen an increase on news coverage about H1N1 and ways to protect yourself from the swine flu. Washing your hands is one of the most affective ways to avoid infection.

H1N1 can spread mainly through coughing or sneezing around people. You should wash your hands with soap and water, especially after touching public objects such as the door handle. It is important to avoid touching your eyes and nose as the H1N1 flu can spread from your hands.

Swine flu is H1N1. Many people are confused on how swine flu relates to H1N1. To make it clear, the virus was originally named as the swine flu because lab tests showed that many of the genes were similar to influenza that can be found in pigs. However, further studies have indicated that the new virus is very different because it contains two genes from flu viruses.

Are there reasons to be scared of H1N1? You bet, but it doesn't mean that everybody will get infected. According to the CDC, more than 1,100 people in the United States have died from H1N1. About 100 of them are children. There are 46 states that have widespread influenza activity.

One of the ways to protect yourself is using disinfecting wipes. Clorox and Lysol sell these in a container. They are bleach-free and can be used on counters, door handles, and everything else you touch. If you have children, it is always a good idea to use the wipes to clean the kitchen counters, door knobs and the refrigerator door handle.

Shopping carts in grocery stores are a big way to spread H1N1. Most stores now provide similar wipes near the carts. You should always clean the cart on areas where you will be touching. The touching surfaces are common for spreading viruses.

No matter how silly you might look, wiping down a shopping cart, you are protecting yourself and your family from the flu. In fact, I've noticed a lot of people wiping down their shopping cart lately. It's not silly at all.

When you arrive home with the groceries, throw the shopping bags away. The swine flu virus can live on just about anything a human can touch. Most people save these plastic shopping bags for later use. Not a good idea right now during an influenza outbreak. Also, wash your hands after you unpack your groceries.

Air conditioners can also spread the H1N1 flu virus. Make sure you change your air filter. In fact, I've been changing mine every 2 weeks, although one month should be fine. Always keep dirty clothes and towels washed. Don't leave them laying around.

Did you know that the swine flu can also spread from your shoes? Always wash your hands before taking off your shoes. In addition, it's also a good idea to wipe down your shoes with a disinfectant. Car doors and the steering wheel should always be kept clean. These inconvenient steps are minimal in an effort to help protect you during the H1N1 outbreak.