Flu Outbreak

Many of you will have heard about the recent out break of swine influenza H1N1 in Mexico, which appears to have spread to the USA and Canada.

I am working on a piece on how this is likely to affect people with PIDs, but in the meantime would like to stress that basic hygeine will likely protect you from most contagious diseases, including 'flu.

• If you cough or sneeze, ensure you cover your nose and mouth. 'Flu virus reproduces in the respiratory tract, and is spread through droplets when people cough and sneeze.
• Discards tissues or other receptacles quickly and hygeinically. 'Flu virus can stay infectious for sometime in a moist environment, so disposal of contaminated material is important.
• Practice regular hand-washing. Ensure you use hot water and soap, and ensure your hands are thoroughly dried.
• Clean hard objects on a regular basis. Wipe door handles, light switches and other common touched objects off once or twice a day. This doesn't need to be with anything high powered, but a normal cleaning product.
• Ensure your children follow this advice!

This advice is taken from the Health Protection Agency's website, and more information is available there.

I will post more when I have more information.