H1N1 (formally known as the Swine Flu)
The outbreak of the Swine Flu is not only scary but can affect all of us. Working from home while having a stay at home mom business is a great way to avoid being exposed to the flu, but along with that we need to make sure our families are protected as well.
The use of hand sanitizers and hand washing are critical activities to not only prevent the Swine Flu but all bacteria. I do all I can to keep many chemicals out of our home making sure my family is safe.
I have been notified by my son’s college to avoid any travel to Mexico and also to avoid some farmer’s markets, which is hard for be because I really like the natural foods, especially since I am doing what I can to go green. I just want to warn as many people as I can to wash everything that is from ANY farm and make sure you and you children are washing and using hand sanitizers whenever you are exposed to any germs.
Tags: Health
April 28th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Just thought I would add in this tip – direct from the CDC on handling PORK – aka Swine!
Question: Can people catch swine flu from eating pork?
Answer: No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.
April 28th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Great info ladies. And I want to emphasize the hand washing. In taking healthcare classes its stressed over and over that the single most effective defense against transmitting, and therefore catching, disease is handwashing, with soap and water or with anti-bacterial cleanser. And, I must say especially in flu season I’m feeling not so vulnerable since I can bypass many of the office “dangers” and walk down my hall to my home-based business!
May 1st, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Avoiding the flu, and all illnesses, has been my goal, and I do it by washing my hands frequently! Antibacterial soap makes a difference to the cleanliness of our hands. I, too, find that my online business for women helps to keep me away from the crowds and the possibility of more illness.
May 1st, 2009 at 1:02 pm
It’s true that having a home-based business has cut down on the worries I had, when I worked in a public retail setting, of “catching” something and bringing it home to my family,including a vulnerable 87-year old Mom! I’ve noticed a difference in the frequency of colds,etc! But there IS no substitute for hand-washing and keeping our environments clean!
May 2nd, 2009 at 2:14 pm
My daughter’s school just sent home a sheet from the Center for Disease Control and it states:
Someone gets the swine flu (H1N1) not from eating pork, but from someone who already has the swine flu.
The flu spreads by touching something that has the virus on it from someone who is infected(as the flu can survivie on surfaces for 2-8 hours) and then touching your nose or mouth.
There are four different antiviral drugs that are licensed in US for treatment. (amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir)
May 3rd, 2009 at 10:11 pm
I have long worked in the restaurant business. Hand washing and personal hygiene is a major key! If anyone comes in sick and you touch their used dishes etc, you get sick all the time. Now that I am switching to a home based business I am keeping myself out of the “line of fire” so to speak.
May 3rd, 2009 at 10:27 pm
There is a higher sense of concern here in AZ since we have tons of traffic from Mexico. Several of the schools have been closing for a few days at a time. This certainly puts many parents in an awkward position regarding day care for the kids.
Thankfully, I dont have the day care issue for two reasons, first my daughter is in her mid 30’s and second I am fortunate to have an online business for women. If my daughter were school age and at home because school had closed, I wouldn’t worry about finding day care since I’m a work at home mom. I’m so glad that is one less thing for me to worry about.
May 3rd, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Here are some more tips from the CDC on How The Flu Spreads and How A Person Should Be Cared For:
The main way that influenza viruses are thought to spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. This can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled through the air and deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby. Influenza viruses may also be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets on another person or an object and then touches their own mouth or nose (or someone else’s mouth or nose) before washing their hands.
People with swine flu who are cared for at home should:
* check with their health care provider about any special care they might need if they are pregnant or have a health condition such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, or emphysema
* check with their health care provider about whether they should take antiviral medications
* stay home for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer
* get plenty of rest
* drink clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants) to keep from being dehydrated
* cover coughs and sneezes. Clean hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often and especially after using tissues and after coughing or sneezing into hands.
* avoid close contact with others – do not go to work or school while ill
* be watchful for emergency warning signs that might indicate you need to seek medical attention