In general, influenza viruses are spread in two ways:
Respiratory droplets from an infected person's coughs or sneezes (these droplets generally travel less than one metre); and
Touching contaminated surfaces (including hands) and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
People may be contagious from one day before they develop symptoms to up to seven days after they get sick, although contagiousness declines rapidly after five days.
Children, especially younger children, might be contagious for longer periods.
Flu viruses can survive on some hard surfaces for up to two days. You should regularly clean frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, taps, tables, benches and fridge doors. Flu viruses can be inactivated and removed with normal household detergents.
Flu viruses can survive on unwashed hands for 30 minutes, and on cloth, paper and tissues for up to 12 hours. This is why it is important to always wash your hands after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose, and to dispose of used tissues in a bin straight away.
Respiratory droplet and contact spread are the major modes of transmission in the community, but specific procedures within the medical setting may lead to generation of aerosols (particles suspended in the atmosphere), requiring specific precautions in these settings.
The best protection you can afford yourself and others is to get vaccinated against the pandemic influenza. This will reduce the chances of you getting and transmitting the disease. However, the development of a pandemic vaccine takes time, during which the virus may already be circulating in the community and even people who have been vaccinated can pass the virus on if they touch objects contaminated by an infected person.
You can minimise the spread of the pandemic influenza in your household and in the community by maintaining good household and personal hygiene, avoiding close contact from others (at least 1 metre apart) if you or they are ill, and covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
Five simple ways to prevent the spread of pandemic influenza:
1. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough
The flu virus can travel through the air when a person coughs or sneezes. When you cough or sneeze you should:
Turn away from other people
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve
Use disposable tissues rather than a handkerchief (which could store the virus)
Put used tissues into the nearest bin, rather than a pocket or handbag
Wash your hands, or use an alcohol hand rub, as soon as possible afterwards.
People who are sick should always be encouraged to wear a surgical mask to contain the virus and help prevent its spread.
2. Wash your hands
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based product (gels, rinses, foams) that doesn't require water - even when they aren't visibly dirty. This is the single most effective way of killing the flu virus. Either of these methods is effective, with products available at supermarkets and pharmacies.
Always wash your hands:
after you've been to the toilet
after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose
after being in contact with someone who has a cold or flu
before touching your eyes, nose or mouth
before preparing food and eating.
To wash your hands properly
Set of 4 images depicting correct procedure for washing hands.
3. Don't share personal items
The flu virus can spread when someone touches an object with the virus on it and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth.
If a member of your household has the flu:
keep personal items, such as towels, bedding and toothbrushes separate
do not share eating and drinking utensils, food or drinks.
4. Clean surfaces
Flu viruses can live on surfaces for several hours. If a member of your household has the flu, you should regularly clean surfaces such as tables, benches, fridge doors and door knobs with soap and water or detergent.
5. Avoid close contact with others if you are unwell with flu
Keeping your distance from others by standing or sitting back (at least one metre apart, where possible) will help reduce the chances of spreading the flu virus between people.
While you are unwell you should remain at home and avoid going out in public. If you are unwell, you should not go to work or school or attend other public or crowded gatherings, and avoid taking public transport. If you need to use public transport, it is recommended that you wear a mask to contain the virus.
Do not visit people who have the flu unless it is absolutely necessary.
If a member of your household has the flu, he or she should be separated from other members of the family if possible, and be encouraged to wear a surgical mask. If you are caring for someone who has the flu, you too should wear a mask and gloves when in close contact to protect yourself from catching the flu.
Antivirals and vaccines may have some effectiveness in preventing the development of infection in people exposed to the
influenza virus.
BUT WAIT...THERE'S MORE!..WHY WAIT WHEN EVERYTHING COME TO WORST?..SOMETIMES WE MAY NEVER KNOW WHAT TYPES/KINDS OF DISEASES WE GET FROM PEOPLE OR FROM THE OUTSIDE...PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR LOVES ONES!... BARLEY..THE SOLUTION!
Respiratory droplets from an infected person's coughs or sneezes (these droplets generally travel less than one metre); and
Touching contaminated surfaces (including hands) and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
People may be contagious from one day before they develop symptoms to up to seven days after they get sick, although contagiousness declines rapidly after five days.
Children, especially younger children, might be contagious for longer periods.
Flu viruses can survive on some hard surfaces for up to two days. You should regularly clean frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, taps, tables, benches and fridge doors. Flu viruses can be inactivated and removed with normal household detergents.
Flu viruses can survive on unwashed hands for 30 minutes, and on cloth, paper and tissues for up to 12 hours. This is why it is important to always wash your hands after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose, and to dispose of used tissues in a bin straight away.
Respiratory droplet and contact spread are the major modes of transmission in the community, but specific procedures within the medical setting may lead to generation of aerosols (particles suspended in the atmosphere), requiring specific precautions in these settings.
The best protection you can afford yourself and others is to get vaccinated against the pandemic influenza. This will reduce the chances of you getting and transmitting the disease. However, the development of a pandemic vaccine takes time, during which the virus may already be circulating in the community and even people who have been vaccinated can pass the virus on if they touch objects contaminated by an infected person.
You can minimise the spread of the pandemic influenza in your household and in the community by maintaining good household and personal hygiene, avoiding close contact from others (at least 1 metre apart) if you or they are ill, and covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
Five simple ways to prevent the spread of pandemic influenza:
1. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough
The flu virus can travel through the air when a person coughs or sneezes. When you cough or sneeze you should:
Turn away from other people
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve
Use disposable tissues rather than a handkerchief (which could store the virus)
Put used tissues into the nearest bin, rather than a pocket or handbag
Wash your hands, or use an alcohol hand rub, as soon as possible afterwards.
People who are sick should always be encouraged to wear a surgical mask to contain the virus and help prevent its spread.
2. Wash your hands
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based product (gels, rinses, foams) that doesn't require water - even when they aren't visibly dirty. This is the single most effective way of killing the flu virus. Either of these methods is effective, with products available at supermarkets and pharmacies.
Always wash your hands:
after you've been to the toilet
after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose
after being in contact with someone who has a cold or flu
before touching your eyes, nose or mouth
before preparing food and eating.
To wash your hands properly
Set of 4 images depicting correct procedure for washing hands.
3. Don't share personal items
The flu virus can spread when someone touches an object with the virus on it and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth.
If a member of your household has the flu:
keep personal items, such as towels, bedding and toothbrushes separate
do not share eating and drinking utensils, food or drinks.
4. Clean surfaces
Flu viruses can live on surfaces for several hours. If a member of your household has the flu, you should regularly clean surfaces such as tables, benches, fridge doors and door knobs with soap and water or detergent.
5. Avoid close contact with others if you are unwell with flu
Keeping your distance from others by standing or sitting back (at least one metre apart, where possible) will help reduce the chances of spreading the flu virus between people.
While you are unwell you should remain at home and avoid going out in public. If you are unwell, you should not go to work or school or attend other public or crowded gatherings, and avoid taking public transport. If you need to use public transport, it is recommended that you wear a mask to contain the virus.
Do not visit people who have the flu unless it is absolutely necessary.
If a member of your household has the flu, he or she should be separated from other members of the family if possible, and be encouraged to wear a surgical mask. If you are caring for someone who has the flu, you too should wear a mask and gloves when in close contact to protect yourself from catching the flu.
Antivirals and vaccines may have some effectiveness in preventing the development of infection in people exposed to the
influenza virus.
BUT WAIT...THERE'S MORE!..WHY WAIT WHEN EVERYTHING COME TO WORST?..SOMETIMES WE MAY NEVER KNOW WHAT TYPES/KINDS OF DISEASES WE GET FROM PEOPLE OR FROM THE OUTSIDE...PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR LOVES ONES!... BARLEY..THE SOLUTION!
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