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 Protect yourself and keep your family safe through flu season and the H1N1 (Swine Flu) Pandemic now! American Red Cross of the National Capital Area urges the people of our community to prevent and prepare for the flu season. Knowledge and preparation will help your family, colleagues and others you come in contact with outside of your home. Keep informed with updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about flu season and the H1N1 (Swine Flu) pandemic. Read more about health tips. Be Red Cross Ready with the Flu Checklist. Watch a video. Learn more today!
PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS In April 2009 an outbreak of human cases of H1N1 influenza (swine flu) was discovered in North America, and cases are being found in a growing number of states and countries. The World Health Organization has increased its alert level to reflect the spread of the outbreak, and public health and government officials have been working to assess the spread and severity of this flu. The American Red Cross' mission is to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The Red Cross not only responds to tens of thousands of disasters each year, but also has responded to many public health emergencies in the past such as the influenza pandemic of 1918. Currently, the American Red Cross is monitoring the developing situation and is in close contact with federal and state officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Homeland Security. For several years, scientists have been informing organizations in the U.S. and abroad about the significant possibility of an influenza (flu) pandemic occurring. At this time the best action the public can take now is prepare and prevent further spread of the virus. Prepare you and your family. Stocking extra food, water and supplies at home will reduce the need to go out should swine flu become more widespread, thereby limiting potential for exposure to the virus. If a person does get sick and has extra supplies on hand, they will help reduce the spread of the flu by staying home. American Red Cross of the National Capital Area partners with the Greater Carolinas and Greater Indianapolis Chapters in offering the Pandemic Preparedness course online. The course includes learning how to prevent the spread of disease, how to be ready for emergencies related to a pandemic and how to care for someone who is sick. The cost is only $10, takes approximately two hours to complete and provides life-saving information that can be printed and used as a resource. Register here! Keep informed with updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Read more about health tips. Be Red Cross Ready with the Flu Checklist. Watch a video. FLU & PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS Gather Supplies - Assemble or refresh your preparedness kit.
- Store a two-week supply of food, water and household necessities (such as laundry detergent, toilet paper, etc.). Select foods that are easy to prepare and store.
- Store one gallon of water per person per day in clean plastic containers. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles.
- Insure that formula for infants and any child's or older person's special nutritional needs are a part of your planning. Store an extra supply of food for your pets.
- Make sure you have an adequate supply of essential medications and medical items for all family members.
Make Plans - Plan for what you would do if you had to stay at home for a period of time.
- Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick.
- Find out your employer's plans to keep the business open if key staff can't come to work.
- Ask your child's school or day care if there are plans to encourage sick children to stay home to reduce the spread of the disease.
- Identify how you can get information, whether through local radio, TV, internet or other sources.
Stay Healthy
The Red Cross and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are offering the following tips to ensure you stay healthy: - Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective when soap and water aren't available.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way. Try to avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Influenza (flu) is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing.
- If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Teach Good Health Habits
Proper and consistent hand washing is one of the easiest ways to prevent the spread of flu. Teach kids by example by showing them proper hand washing technique: For younger children who may rush their hand washing, have them sing a short song such as "Row Row Row Your Boat," or the "Happy Birthday" song, which will ensure they wash for at least 20 seconds. Placing hand-washing reminders at children's eye level will also help them become consistent hand washers.Teach kids to adopt these other healthy habits in order to prevent the spread of germs: - Avoid sharing objects such as utensils, cups, and bottles.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and wash your hands afterwards. If tissue-less, cough or sneeze into your elbow or upper arm, not your hands.
- Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth to keep germs from entering your body.
Parents should also prepare for the potential spread of swine flu by talking with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick. Also ask your child's school or day care if there are plans to encourage sick children to stay home to reduce the spread of the disease. Consult your healthcare provider if you develop symptoms of the flu, such as: • Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Body aches
• Headache
• Chills
• Extreme tiredness
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea
For more information, see the Red Cross Flu Checklist. For up-to-the-minute information on the swine flu, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) web site or call 1-800-CDC-INFO. Additional Resources: Local Influenza Information Phone Numbers
• District of Columbia: 3-1-1 (from outside area code 202, call 202-737-4404)
• Montgomery County: 240-777-4200
• Frederick County: 301-600-3035
• Prince George’s County: 888-561-4049
• Alexandria: 703-838-4400, ext. 352
• Arlington County: 703-228-2358
• Fairfax County: 703-267-3511
• Loudoun County: 703-771-5512
• Prince William County: 703-792-6345
Virginia Department of Health H1N1 Call Center: VDH -877-ASK-VDH3 (275-8343)
http://www.redcross.org/pandemicflu |
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