Common sense top priority in swine flu prevention
Published: May 19, 2009
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share thisRummaging around in her purse, Gouldsboro resident and retired nurse Carol Hardy pulled out a tiny bottle of hand sanitizer.
"I have been (using) this - I can't even tell you how many years," said Ms. Hardy, who attended the Red Cross and United Way's pandemic forum on swine flu Monday night at the University of Scranton.
Washing hands, avoiding handshakes and covering a cough or sneeze are key common sense rules to help prevent the spread of swine flu, said Theodore W. Uroskie, M.D., a Red Cross volunteer.
When the doctor announced the first case of swine flu in Lackawanna County may have been diagnosed, some of the 20 audience members gasped.
"Oh, gosh," someone murmured. "Wow," another remarked.
Lakeville resident and Red Cross instructor Brenda Jacobsen said she's troubled over the lack of concern over the swine flu spreading.
"Nobody really seems to have a seriousness about it," she said.
Now considered a pandemic by the World Health Organization, swine flu - also known as H1N1 virus - is different from the seasonal flu, Dr. Uroskie said. Because it's a new strain, humans do not have any immunity built up against swine flu, he said, adding that, "this flu, at this point in time, is mild."
Symptoms of swine flu include fever, cough, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea, the doctor said. While swine flu can be spread between people and pigs, Dr. Uroskie said there is no evidence the virus is transmitted by eating properly cooked pork products.
Swine flu has spread so rapidly, he said, because "we're a very mobile society and everybody's on airplanes."
From an airplane to a workspace, it's important to take precautions, Dr. Uroskie said, recommending antibacterial wipes with at least 60 percent alcohol.
Workplaces need to be prepared for a 40 percent absentee rate if there's an outbreak of swine flu, the doctor said, stressing the importance of employees staying home from work if they feel sick.
"We've all gone to work when we're sick," Dr. Uroskie said. "We shouldn't be."
Contact the writer: mreiter@timesshamrock.com
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