Protecting Yourself and Your Family
H1N1 is a virus passed (1) through the droplets of sneezes and coughs, and (2) by touching surfaces infected by people with influenza. Protecting yourself is easier than you think:
Use a tissue to cover your cough and sneeze. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze in your sleeve, not your hand.
Covering your cough is key to preventing the spread of the virus. Dispose of the tissue immediately and wash your hands. Coughing or sneezing into your sleeve avoids infecting your hands and keeps germs from spreading to people or surfaces around you.
Keep your hands away from your face and don't touch your mouth, nose or eyes.
Germs on your hands can easily spread to your mouth, nose and eyes when you touch your face.
Wash your hands with soap often (or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer)
Germs can live for up to 8 hours on all the surfaces you touch. Take the time — every time — to wash your hands when you've been in public (that goes for meetings, the supermarket, school, the park...anywhere your hands touch something other hands have touched). And especially before you eat.
A Hand-Washing Tutorial
- Wet hands with clean water and soap.
- Scrub all parts of your hands (including backs, between fingers, under nails) with a soapy lather as long as it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice (about 20 seconds).
- Rinse well.
- Dry using a paper towel (or at home, your own designated towel).
- If possible, turn off the faucet handle with your paper towel.
Keep frequently used surfaces clean.
Stay home if you get sick.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you stay home until at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, leaving the house only to get medical care. Schools and workplaces are encouraging this policy to avoid infecting other students and employees.
One last tip to prepare for the upcoming flu season: Stock over-the-counter medications, alcohol-based cleaner, tissues and plenty of fluids while you're well to avoid the need for a pharmacy trip in the event you do get sick.
Get the latest information on vaccine sites in your area, community updates or regional outbreaks.
- Where and When are Vaccines Available? Check here to find when the novel H1N1 vaccine is ready in your area, and where you can go to get one.
- Should You Consider Vaccination? All Pennsylvanians are encouraged to get the H1N1 vaccine, particularly those in one of the groups most at risk for getting the virus or suffering complications.
- 5 Ways to Protect Yourself Staying healthy is simpler than you think. Some everyday prevention techniques and good hygiene can keep you and your family well this flu season.
-
National H1N1 Information
For most recent national H1N1 information visit,
