Eight Ways To Protect Yourself Against The Swine Flu

As the World Health Organization raised its pandemic alert level to phase four on a six-point scale, indicating that it believes the likelihood of a pandemic, or worldwide epidemic resulting from the Swine Flu. Here are the best ways the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says to protect yourself against this or any infectious diseases.

1. Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for 15 to 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if water isn't accessible.

2. Cover your coughs and sneezes with your hand or handkerchief.

3. Stay home from work or school if you feel ill.

4. Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth to prevent the spread of germs.

5. Parents should seek urgent medical care if your children aren't waking up or interacting, have fast breathing or trouble breathing, fever with a rash, are too irritable to be held or whose skin color appears bluish.

6. Children who aren't drinking enough fluids or whose flu-like symptoms improve but then come back with a fever and a worse cough also require urgent medical attention.

7. You should seek immediate medical attention if you have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion or severe or persistent vomiting.

8. If you become sick, stay home for the period of infection, which is typically seven days, although children may be contagious for longer. Don't return to work or school until at least a day after symptoms disappears.

9. Avoid nonessential travel to the countries that pose the greater threats i.e. Mexico and U.S.