How does swine flu spread?
Flu viruses are made up of tiny particles that can be spread through the droplets that come
out of your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
When you cough or sneeze without covering your nose and mouth with a tissue, those
droplets can spread and others will be at risk of breathing them in.
If you cough or sneeze into your hand, those droplets and the germs in them are then
easily spread from your hand to any hard surfaces that you touch, and they can live on
those surfaces for some time. Everyday items such as door handles, computer keyboards,
mobile and ordinary phones and the TV remote control are all common surfaces where flu
viruses can be found.
If other people touch these surfaces and then touch their faces, the germs can enter their
systems and they can become infected. That’s how all cold and flu viruses, including swine
flu, are passed on from person to person.
The best thing you can do to protect
yourself is to follow good hygiene practices.
These will help to slow the spread of the virus and will be the single most effective thing
you can do to protect yourself and others from infection.
When you cough or sneeze it is especially important to follow the rules of good hygiene
to prevent the spread of germs: Always carry tissues. Use a clean tissue to cover your
mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze. Bin the tissue after one use. Wash
your hands with soap and hot water, and use alcohol gel hand rub regularly.
There are two major ways we can help control the spread of flu and other viruses,
and both relate to personal hygiene habits – hand hygiene and the control
of coughing and sneezing.
Hand hygiene is vitally important in reducing the spread of bacteria. Whilst the age-old
battle continues between the benefits of hot air dryers and paper towels, tissue must win
the hygiene argument as it removes bacteria remaining on the hands and is disposed of
hygienically.
Think about it… If every worker was provided with good washroom facilities including an
antibacterial hand wash, paper towels and alcohol gel hand rub plus a box of tissues next
to their workplace, the saving in lost time from sickness would be minimal with greater
productivity!
What to do if you suspect you have got it...
1. Limit contact with others
2. Don’t go in person to see a GP or other health services
3. Do stay at home and call your GP by telephone, call NHS Direct on
0800 1 513 100 in England, 0845 4647 in Wales, 08454 242424 in Scotland,
0800 0514 142 in Northern Ireland or visit
www.nhs.uk
CATCH IT, BIN IT, KILL IT
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