HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD 

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH

THE FLU & OTHER INFECTIOUS DISEASES (like measles, whooping cough, other preventable infectious diseases)

Preventable diseases like the flu can kill.

It can be carried anywhere in just hours.

It spreads through person-to-person contact of droplets from the nose or mouth onto people, articles, or food. Sneezing and coughing can send droplets/virus as far as 35 feet in seconds.

About every 30 to 40 years we have had a flu pandemic, with death rates as high as 70%. Some believe we are due for a pandemic.

Health professionals warn that Avian (bird) flu is a high risk as a pandemic cause this year if it can spread person to person. A case in Thailand, reported on 12/8/04, is thought to have spread person to person.

Our immune system can’t recognize new virus forms like Avian flu so more people get sick and the illness is more serious.

 WHAT YOU CAN DO 

Maintain good health and resistance.

Get a vaccination.

Get flu and pneumonia vaccination if over 50 or you have a chronic disease.

Wash your hands with soap frequently after handling things that are public in their use.

Teach children how to wash hands thoroughly.

If you cough or sneeze, use a tissue or sleeve, not your hand.

Avoid crowds and people with cold-like symptoms.

Use the 3 foot rule.

Keep hands away from the face.

Tell store managers you object to being waited on by sick clerks, especially in food stores.

Tell store managers clerks should be trained to reduce the spread of infectious disease.

Tell clerks and store managers you object to clerks licking their fingers to handle money or bags. Use a wet sponge.

Stay at home when you’re ill.

Keep children at home when they have symptoms.

Set an example of responsible behavior.

Seek medical evaluation if symptoms persist or are severe.

Speak out and write letters about:

- the need to improve vaccine production methods and distribution.
- the need for preparedness and prevention plans.
- the responsibility we each have to prevent the spread of infection.

References: 

Ed., “Bird Flu Precaution”, The New Scientist, vol. 184, #2469, October 4, 2004, p. 15.

Ed., “WHO Is Not Trying To Scare The Planet”, The New Scientist, vol. 184, #2476, December 4, 2004, p. 9.

Ed., “Flu Vaccine Production”, Technology Review, vol. 107, #7, September 4, 2004, pp. 90-91.

Ed., “Flu Vaccine: What Went Wrong?”, This Week, vol. 4, #181, November 5, 2004, p 21.

Ed., “The Virus That Strikes Once A Year”, This Week, vol. 4, #182, November 12, 2004, p. 17.

Swartsberg, John, M.D., “Speaking of Wellness”, UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, vol. 21, #4, January 5, 2005, p. 3.

This material is intended to provide accurate health &
medical information. It is not intended to give personal
medical advice for which you should consult a physician.