Thompson Urges Common-Sense Precautions Against Swine Flu
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Howard, was briefed today on the swine flu by members of the President’s Cabinet and officials from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
“Government officials are monitoring this very carefully and implementing a number of strategic plans,” said Thompson. “They include releasing supplies of Tamiflu and related anti-viral drugs from the strategic stockpile. These drugs have been shown to be effective against the swine flu if used within two days of experiencing symptoms.”
According to the experts, the symptoms of swine flu are very similar to other cases of the flu. They include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu.
“While named the swine flu, the H1N1 virus has nothing to do with food-borne illness,” Thompson explained. “You cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products.”
The Congressman said that so far there have been no cases of the H1N1 virus reported in Pennsylvania. “We want to keep it that way and the best way to do that is to take common-sense precautions,” said Thompson.
The steps outlined by the CDC to protect your health and the health of others, include:
· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and dispose of the tissue.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
· Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
· If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
The following website from Penn State University contains a great deal of the same information Thompson received in the briefing and includes information from the CDC: http://agsci.psu.edu/news/spotlight/swine-flu. The CDC website is: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu.
“Government officials are monitoring this very carefully and implementing a number of strategic plans,” said Thompson. “They include releasing supplies of Tamiflu and related anti-viral drugs from the strategic stockpile. These drugs have been shown to be effective against the swine flu if used within two days of experiencing symptoms.”
According to the experts, the symptoms of swine flu are very similar to other cases of the flu. They include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu.
“While named the swine flu, the H1N1 virus has nothing to do with food-borne illness,” Thompson explained. “You cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products.”
The Congressman said that so far there have been no cases of the H1N1 virus reported in Pennsylvania. “We want to keep it that way and the best way to do that is to take common-sense precautions,” said Thompson.
The steps outlined by the CDC to protect your health and the health of others, include:
· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and dispose of the tissue.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
· Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
· If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
The following website from Penn State University contains a great deal of the same information Thompson received in the briefing and includes information from the CDC: http://agsci.psu.edu/news/spotlight/swine-flu. The CDC website is: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu.
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