DON’T FEAR SWINE FLU, FIGHT IT!

There have been cases of swine flu in Mumbai and Pune recently, but fret not. We suggest a few simple precautionary measures that can help you keep germs at bay

WHAT IS SWINE FLU? 

Quite similar to the seasonal flu that we're so familiar with, swine flu spreads fast and swiftly by touch. Swine flu or A/ H1N1 is a new strain of flu virus, a disease with symptoms identical to the seasonal flu. If you handle a person infected with swine flu, there's a high chance of acquiring the virus unless you properly sanitize your hands. 

    Children, who tend to touch their eyes, nose or mouth with unclean hands frequently, are at huge risk of contracting the virus. One of the best ways of protecting oneself from infection is by washing hands regularly with soap and water or using a sanitizer to eliminate the chance of contracting infections transmitted through contact. 

HOW DOES SWINE FLU SPREAD? 

Swine flu spreads in humans through similar routes of a seasonal flu virus. Like, if an infected person coughs or sneezes and virus-carrying droplets fly into the air and infect others through the eyes, nose or mouth. Or if an infected person sneezes in cupped palms but doesn't wash hands afterwards, they would start spreading the virus to surfaces and people they go on to touch. Or, if someone touches a contaminated surface (like a doorknob an elevator button or bus-door handle) and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth. Once the swine flu virus is on your child's hands, they may accidentally 

spread it to other people, objects and surfaces by being an innocuous carrier even if they don't get sick themselves. 

WHAT CAN MOTHERS DO TO PROTECT THEIR FAMILY FROM SWINE FLU? 

On of the most simple ways to avoid contracting swine flu is by exercising basic hygiene. For starters, advise your child to cover their mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing with a clean tissue and throw the tissue safely in the bin. If they don't have a tissue, instruct them to use their hands but wash them thoroughly with soap straight away, especially after being in crowded public places and around food; wash their hands well with plenty of soap and dry them with a clean towel; clean their hands when contaminated; don't let them touch their eyes, nose and mouth; don't let them shake hands or get too close to someone who seems unwell. If they feel ill, ensure that they stay at home and call your doctor for advice. 

WHY IS WASHING HANDS WITH SOAP AND A GOOD HANDWASH IMPORTANT? 

Organisations like the Centre for Disease Control and the World Health Organisation strongly recommend people, especially children, wash their hands with soap and water thoroughly or disinfect for at least 20 seconds to help prevent infection from swine flu. To protect against direct contact (for example, shaking hands with an infected person who 

has touched his/her mouth or nose) and indirect contact (for example, touching a doorknob handled by an infected person) with the flu virus, washing hands regularly with soap and water can help. 

HOW OFTEN DOES YOUR CHILD NEED TO WASH THEIR HANDS ? 

An infected child could land up being contagious for a day before feeling sick and upto seven days later. Mothers need to instruct their children to disinfect their hands with soap and water or by a sanitizer after returning from school as being out in crowded public places, shaking hands with people exhibiting flu-like symptoms, coughing or sneezing, handling animals and going to the toilet can be harmful. Also, mothers need to exercise the same caution before preparing, serving or eating food, especially meat. 

KEEP A SANITIZER HANDY! 

The risk of contracting a disease, especially swine flu at this point of time, is heightened when children come in contact with people and objects outside their home. 

    In situations where there may be no access to water and soap when we need it the most, it's important to carry and use an effective hand sanitizer proven to protect from swine flu. 

    The Lifebuoy Hand Sanitizer effectively disrupts bacteria's cell membrane and virus' outer coat, thereby killing bacteria and inactivating viruses on your child's infected hands. 

    It has also been proven to instantly kill 99.99 per cent germs without water and soap 

    And, it has been proven to kill H1N1 virus 

A MOTHER'S DILEMMA 

As a mother, one is really worried about their child picking up swine flu from school and outdoor spaces.What are the best measures to prevent swine flu? To put to rest this dilemma that most mothers face, experts advise that keeping your children indoors is not recommended. It is important to remember that 

although not trivial, the swine influenza symptoms are generally mild, (although the infection can be severe in a small minority of cases). Most children recover fully a few days after contracting the disease. For these reasons, experts recommend the mother and the child continue with their normal daily activities, unless they develop symptoms of flu. 

    But many mothers may resort to antibiotics. Is this the right solution? Experts say that antibiotics are drugs which can only be used to treat bacterial infections and have no effect on viral infections like influenza. Antibiotics should not be used to prevent infection. 

    There are a number of things you can do in your everyday life to reduce the risks of spreading the flu virus within your family including avoiding contact with anyone that becomes infected, disposing of tissues immediately and washing your hands often with handwash and water (or use an alcohol gel sanitizer 

if you are in a location without access to soap and water) to help protect you and your family from invisible germs. 

    Therefore, it is vital to maintain cleanliness at all times and practicing proper hand hygiene is the easiest way to help reduce such infections.