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H1N1 flu making you nervous? Practice common sense. The recent outbreak of the H1N1 flu has made officials and citizens alike concerned. Just the thought of a possible pandemic is enough to cause some people to feel consumed with fear. No matter how sensational the news makes each outbreak, however, common-sense precautions, plus efforts to maintain a healthy immune system, are often enough to keep you healthy. Tips for avoiding infection Wash your hands. The most effective way to prevent sickness is to keep your hands clean. If soap and water aren't available, use an alcohol-based gel or hand-wipe. Don't stop there, though! Wash food, counters, sports equipment and any other potential infection site, too. Eat right and exercise regularly. You've heard this advice over and over, but maintaining a strong immune system makes you less susceptible to illness and helps you fight it off sooner if you do get sick. Keep up to date on vaccinations. Vaccines already protect you from some of the deadliest diseases. Though most vaccinations are administered when we're children, you should follow up with routine shots as an adult, for diseases like tetanus, diphtheria and influenza. Find recommended immunization schedules at www.cdc.gov/vaccines. Use antibiotics appropriately. Though antibiotics are capable of healing an amazing array of diseases, they are not the answer to every infection. After all, our wish for antibiotic quick-fixes has now put us at the mercy of antibiotic resistance. Don't stress it. Getting worked up about the bug-of-the-day can stress your immune system and distract you from the common-sense measures you're already taking to protect yourself. Don't let germophobia contaminate your life! At HealthEast Clinics, we are committed to providing the best health care possible, and our strict hand-washing policy for staff and physicians is only one of many ways we show our commitment. If you have questions, please ask your nurse or doctor or check out our infection prevention and control guidelines. Read about HealthEast Clinic's response to H1N1.
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