- Wash hands frequently with regular soap and warm water. If soap is not available, use an alcohol-based hand cleanser.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth since those are typical entry ways for virus that may be on your hands.
- Stay away from poultry, raw eggs, raw poultry meat, feathers and poultry faeces during bird flu outbreaks.
- Cook poultry thoroughly. Properly cooked poultry poses no bird flu risk to people. There shouldn't be any pink parts showing. Follow Tips for Cooking Poultry. Cook eggs thoroughly too and do not eat products that contain uncooked poultry blood as an ingredient.
- Get a seasonal flu shot. This will help prevent people from getting the two flus at the same time which could lead to reassortment and a potentially more dangerous flu virus.
- Ask your doctor about the pneumonococcal polysaccharide vaccine (also known as PPV23) as well. It is recommended for anyone 65 and older. Pneumonia is a common complication of influenza that can lead to higher mortality.
- Make sure all of your vaccines are up-to-date. They won't prevent you from getting bird flu, but will help you to stay healthy.
- Avoid being around people who are sick and avoid public settings such as bingo halls, bridge groups, etcetera, during bird flu outbreaks. The public health department in your community will warn people when such a drastic measure should be taken.
- Try to maintain your daily routine. Reduce stress, get plenty of exercise, and eat right.
- If you feel flu symptoms coming on, report symptoms to your doctor. He or she may recommend that you take antiviral drugs that may prevent you from getting full blown influenza, reduce the number of days you are sick and help prevent you from spreading the flu to others.
Sources:
- Center for Disease Control. National Immunization Program. Pneumonococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPV). See text http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-ppv.pdf
- Center for Disease Control. Stopping the Spread of Germs at Home, Work and School. See text http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/stopgerms.htm
- Center for Disease Control. Preventing the Flu. See text http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/stopgerms.htm