Protecting yourself against the H1N1 virus
Click the here for tips from the Public Health Agency on proper hand washing, coughing, disinfecting and many other things we can all do to help our immune systems stay strong.
To protect yourself and others the Public Health Agency advises Canadians to:
- Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer.
- Keep your hands away from your face.
- Cough and sneeze into your arm, not your hand. If you use a tissue, dispose of it as soon as possible and wash your hands.
- Get immunized.
- Keep common surface areas—for example, doorknobs, light switches, telephones and keyboards—clean and disinfected. Eat healthy foods and stay physically active to keep your immune system strong. Keep doing what you normally do, but if you get sick, stay home.
- Check www.fightflu.ca for more information.
- Check www.voyage.gc.ca for travel notices and advisories.
Talk to a health professional if you experience severe flu-like symptoms. Talk to your health care provider if you are at risk for complications and you experience even mild flu symptoms.
People at risk are:
- Children under five years
- Women who are pregnant
- People with chronic conditions such as heart or kidney disease, diabetes, asthma and chronic lung disease, suppressed immune systems, neurological disorders, liver disease, blood disorders and severe obesity
