<font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><p align="left">Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.</p></font></font><b><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"><p align="left">How long can viruses live outside the body?<br /></p></font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent handwashing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.</font></font><b><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"><p align="left">What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?<br /></p></font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:</font></font><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"><p align="left"> </p><p align="left"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font size="2"><strong>What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?<br /></strong></font>If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.</font></font><b><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"></font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze. </font></font><b><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"></font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water. or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. we recommend that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.</font></font><b><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"></font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care. </font></font><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"><p align="left"> </p><p align="left">In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:</p></font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">Fast breathing or trouble breathing<br /></font></font><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"> </font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">Bluish skin color<br /></font></font><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"> </font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">Not drinking enough fluids<br /></font></font><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"> </font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">Not waking up or not interacting<br /></font></font><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"> </font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held<br /></font></font><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"> </font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough<br /></font></font><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"> </font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">Fever with a rash</font></font><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"><p align="left"> </p><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><b><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"><p align="left">How serious is swine flu infection?</p></font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><p align="left">Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring. However, swine flu infection can be serious. In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and died 8 days later. A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.</p></font></font></b></font></font></font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath<br /></font></font><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"> </font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen<br /></font></font><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"> </font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">Sudden dizziness<br /></font></font><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"> </font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">Confusion<br /></font></font><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"> </font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">Severe or persistent vomiting</font></font></b></b></b><p /><p align="left">What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?<br /></p><p /><p align="left">What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?<br /></p></p><p align="left">What should I do if I get sick? <br /></p><p align="left"><strong>In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:</strong></p></font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.<br /></font></font><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"> </font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.<br /></font></font><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"> </font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.<br /></font></font><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"> </font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">Try to avoid close contact with sick people.<br /></font></font><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"><font face="TTE1080C08t00" size="1"> </font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">If you get sick with influenza, Stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. </font></font></b></b>