Put your hands together to prevent colds and the flu Published May 18, 2009 92nd Medical Group FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Experts agree that hand-washing is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself and your family from colds and the flu, including the recent flu virus (H1N1 or swine) that you have seen on the news. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based gel or foam hand cleaners work well to destroy viruses and bacteria too. Other things you can do include: · Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. · Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. · Try to avoid close contact with sick people. · If you are sick with a flu-like illness, stay home and give us a call....we'll advise you how long you should stay away from others to prevent sharing your illness with them. · Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds, and other social distancing measures. (we currently don't have any local restrictions) Remember that the symptoms of flu are similar to a cold, but may be more severe. They may include the following: · Fever of 100 degrees F or higher · Cough · Sore throat · Body aches · Headache · Chills and fatigue · Occasionally, vomiting and diarrhea Most people will recover without needing medical care from colds or the flu, but if you have a fever of greater than 100 degrees, we recommend that you contact us at 247-2361 within the first 24-48 hours so that we can determine if indeed you have the flu or another virus. We may also recommend a prescribed medication that can make you feel better faster and minimize complications from the flu if we suspect that you meet current medical treatment guidelines. Remember that colds and the flu are most contagious during the first five days of the illness although some people (especially children) can remain contagious for up to ten days. We are at the 92d Medical Group are committed to taking care of our Air Force family, and are closely monitoring reports of influenza in national, state and local reporting agencies. We have a hotline phone number (509) 247-3100 that provides daily flu updates. In addition, below are some links to the Center for Disease Control with general precautions and advisories regarding the current swine flu situation. · Center for Disease Control and Prevention · http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/?s_cid=swineFlu_outbreak_001 · Summary of Swine Flu Investigation and Recommendations http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/investigation.htm · General Information About Swine Flu http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/general_info.htm Remember: As always, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.... Let us know what we can do to help keep your family healthy!