Vaccinations and preventative hygiene routines can help protect families from H1N1

Oct 19 2009

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 37 states in the U.S. now report widespread influenza activity - and nearly all influenza cases reported to the health authority are 2009 H1N1, also known as swine flu. However, with the release of a 2009 H1N1 vaccine this week, parents have a new preventative tool to help keep their families safe from illness.

Like seasonal flu, 2009 H1N1 spreads through the air via droplets expelled from the mouth when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes. These droplets often land on hands and adjacent surfaces. According to a recent study evaluating how general influenza infections are contracted, contact with contaminated surfaces may account for thirty one percent (31%) of the infection risk.

Following proper hygiene routines, such as hand washing and surface disinfection, can help prevent the spread of germs from surfaces to hands and hands to hands.

"Together, vaccinations and these simple preventative hygiene routines can help protect families from H1N1 during this early and unusual cold and flu season," says pediatrician Laura Jana.

According to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the groups recommended to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine include pregnant women; household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age; healthcare and emergency medical services personnel; all people from 6 months through 24 years of age and persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

The 2009 H1N1 vaccine works as a complement to the common influenza vaccine. This means that families should speak with their healthcare providers about the best plan to receive both vaccinations this year. The CDC advises that though the vaccine is officially now available, every state will develop a different delivery plan, including making the vaccinations available through pediatricians, other healthcare providers, schools and office settings. Families should speak to their healthcare providers about when and where they can receive preventative care this year.

In addition to appropriate vaccinations, the CDC recommends these preventative measures to help families stay healthy during increased 2009 H1N1 alert levels and year-round:

• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Stay away from people who are sick.
• Wash hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub (sanitizer).
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• If someone in the household is sick, try to keep the sick person in a separate room from others in the household, if possible.
• Keep surfaces like bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
• Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by sick persons in your household in the trash.

LYSOL® Disinfectant Spray and LYSOL® Disinfecting Wipes are proven to kill the 2009 H1N1 virus to help protect families from illness.

To find more information and resources to help protect your family, visit:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Seasonal and 2009 H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Parents http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - 2009 H1N1 Vaccination Recommendations http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - 2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and You http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Ounce of Prevention initiative, created in partnership with LYSOL® www.cdc.gov/ounceofprevention
• Germ Protection Center via the Visiting Nurse Associations of America>