Triad of swine flu prevention

Triad of swine flu prevention: Respiratory hygiene, cough etiquette, and hand hygiene

Median incubation period is 1.5 to 3 days.

Virus shedding begins the day prior to symptom onset and often persists for 5 to 7 days or longer in immunocompetent individuals. Even longer periods of shedding may occur in children, elderly adults, patients with chronic illnesses, and immunocompromised hosts

Respiratory transmission occurs mainly by droplets disseminated by unprotected coughs and sneezes.

• Prevention lies in implementing respiratory hygiene, cough etiquette and hand hygiene.
• Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette apply to all patients and accompanying family or friends who have signs of respiratory illness such as cough, congestion, nasal discharge or increased volumes of respiratory secretions.
• Maintain distance of 3-6 feet from a person who is coughing or sneezing, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues and wash hands if soiled with respiratory secretions. Do not cough in the hands or cloth handkerchief. Use tissue paper or cough on the sides of your sleeves.
• Frequent hand hygiene should be performed, including before and after every patient contact, contact with potentially infectious material, and before putting on and after taking off personal protective equipment, including gloves. Hand hygiene can be performed by washing with soap and water or by using alcohol-based hand rubs. If hands are visibly soiled, they should be washed with soap and water.
• All doctors should take steps to minimize elective visits (telephone consultations for patients with mild respiratory illnesses).
• In clinics all doctors should provide face masks to patients with signs and/or symptoms of respiratory infection and provide them space and encourage patients with respiratory symptoms to sit as far away from others as possible
• Ask patients to avoid visiting crowded enclosed spaces. Source : IMA