CPS urges public to take steps to stem spread of flu

PHILIPSBURG–The Health Ministry’s Collective Prevention Services (CPS) is calling on the community to take steps to stem the spread of the flu virus.

  CPS said in a press release the public should practice proper hand hygiene and cough etiquette to stem spreading influenza.

  “Keeping hands clean through improved hand hygiene and cough etiquette are two of the most important steps one can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.  Washing your hands should take 40 to 60 seconds,” CPS said in its release.

“Hand hygiene is a simple and effective solution to reduce both the spread of infection and multi-resistant germs, and to protect the community.” Flu viruses can also spread when people touch something with the flu virus on it and then touch their mouth, eye or nose.

Symptoms of the flu include sudden onset of fever, cough (usually dry), headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and a runny nose. The cough can be severe and can last two or more weeks. Most people recover from fever and other symptoms within a week.

  However, influenza can cause severe illness or death in high-risk groups such as pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy; children younger than five years; people older than 65 years; people with chronic medical conditions such as HIV/AIDS, asthma, heart- and lung diseases and diabetes; people with increased risk of exposure to influenza, which includes health care workers.

  Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water. If clean, running water is not accessible, as is common in many parts of the world, soap and available water can be used. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 per cent alcohol can also be used to clean hands.

“Your hands should be washed before, during and after preparing food; before eating food; after using the toilet; after blowing your nose, coughing and sneezing.”

  People infected with the flu may be able to infect others beginning from day one before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick. That means you may be able to spread the flu to someone else before you know you are sick. Preventive actions include avoiding close contact with sick people; covering one’s nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, then throwing the tissue in the trash after it is used and cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs such as the flu.

  Additional information can be obtained by calling CPS at tel. 542-1122, 542-1222, 542-1322 or 542-1570.

Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/75211-cps-urges-public-to-take-steps-to-stem-spread-of-flu

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