Preventing Swine Flu

A Guide for Parents

By Tammy Schmidt

August 16, 2009

Here is what parents can do right now to prevent swine flu:

• Teach children to wash their hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.

• Teach children not to share personal items like drinks, food or unwashed utensils.

• Teach children to cover up their coughs or sneezes using the elbow, arm or sleeve instead of the hand when a tissue is unavailable.

• Know the symptoms of the flu: Fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or more, cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache and feeling very tired. Some people may also vomit or have diarrhea.

• Keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have fever without using fever-reducing drugs. Keeping children with a fever at home will reduce recovery time and the number of people infected.

This information was published in the Wichita Eagle. Source: www.flu.gov