Preparing for a Bird Flu Pandemic

It is tempting for all of us to stick our heads in the sand and hope that the news stories about the possibility of an impending bird flu pandemic are mostly hype. According to the scientists, it is just a matter of time, although no one really knows how much.

If it comes down to it, and an infectious form of bird flu arrives in our country, one of the most important things you can do to avoid infection is practice safe hygiene. This means that you assume that everything you touch has the potential to be carrying the virus. This means that under no circumstances do you touch your hands to your face while in public.

Children, and adults, who have the habit of putting their fingers in their eyes and noses are extremely susceptible to infection in such an environment. Practicing respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette means that you wash your hands often, especially after you cough or sneeze. If you are not near water, use an alcohol-based (60-95% alcohol) cleanser on your hands. When you return to your home, clothing goes into the laundry immediately and wash your hands thoroughly with soap to rinse away any virus with which you may have come in contact.

You should always use a face mask in public if you have access to one. Common sense suggests that anything that inhibits the likelihood of inhaled aerosolized influenza is better than nothing. A proper face mask designed to be efficient at this task should be used once and discarded.