Swine Flue A(H1N1) - What Can I Do? - WHO's Recommendations

1 May 2009
What are the recommendations for face masks?
If you are not sick you do not have to wear a mask. If you are caring for a sick person you should wear a mask. All home made masks should be cleansed regularly. If you are sick, stay at home and avoid contact with people.

How can I protect myself and prevent illness?
Practise general preventive measures for influenza to prevent infection: avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and have fever and cough; wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and often; practise good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active.

How do I care for an ill person at home?
Separate the ill person from others, keeping the person at least 1 metre in distance from others.
Cover your mouth and nose when caring for the ill person. Either commercial or homemade materials are fine, as long as they are disposed of or cleaned properly after use.

Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly after each contact with the ill person.
Improve the air flow where the ill person stays. Use doors and windows to take advantage of breezes.

Keep the environment clean with readily available household cleaning agents. If you are living in a country where there are infections follow additional advice from your national and local health authorities.

What should I do if I think I have the illness?
If you feel unwell, have high fever, cough or sore throat: Stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds. Rest and take plenty of fluids.

Cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues when coughing and sneezing, and dispose of the used tissues properly. Wash your hands with soap and water often and thoroughly, especially after coughing or sneezing. Inform family and friends about your illness and try to avoid contact with other people.

What should I do if I need medical attention?
Contact your doctor or healthcare provider before travelling to a health facility, and report your symptoms. Explain why you think you have influenza A(H1N1) (if you have recently travelled to a country where there is an outbreak in humans). Follow the advice given to you. If it is not possible to contact your healthcare provider in advance, communicate your suspicion of infection as soon as you arrive at the facility. Cover your nose and mouth during travel.