【時報訊】依據疾病預防與控制中心的統計，自2009年5月3日起，至今為止，全美共有甲型流感（H1N1）確診病例226例，而其中一例發生於密蘇裡州的Platte County.實際上，和其他流感相似，這種傳染病也可以通過健康的衛生習慣來預防。
目前，還沒有專門針對甲型流感的疫苗，普通預防季節性流感的疫苗對於甲型流感病毒沒有任何效果。甲型流感通過人與人之間的密切接觸傳播，比如打噴嚏或者流鼻涕產生的分泌物，就可以傳播流感病毒。好的衛生習慣，如勤洗手，是預防流感的一項有效手段。
專家建議，最好使用溫水洗手，洗手時要用香皂或者洗手液，如果手邊沒有水或者香皂，使用具有消毒作用的酒精免沖洗手液也是一個不錯的選擇。
為了防止再次被污染，洗淨雙手後，最好使用紙巾將水龍頭關上。
專家還特別提醒，兩手互相揉搓的時間一定不能少於20秒鐘。由於我們通常會將20秒鐘估計得過短，所以最好通過吟唱一些簡短的歌曲，如字母歌，來記錄時間，以保證這些清潔用品與雙手充分接觸。
此外對於如何預防流感，疾病控制中心的專家們還提出了以下建議：
•不要與患者密切接觸，當自己生病時，請記得與他人保持距離，以免傳染更多人。
•需要咳嗽或者打噴嚏時，請用紙巾蓋住口鼻，以免飛沫攜帶的病毒傳染他人。
•不要用不乾淨的手接觸眼、鼻、嘴。
•保證充足睡眠，定期鍛煉身體，適當減輕壓力，多喝水，多吃有營養的食物。
Steps to prevent Influenza A (H1N1)
As of May 3, 2009, there have been 226 laboratory confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of these, a Missouri woman from Platte County had contracted the disease as of May 1st. The spread of this disease - like other forms of the flu - can be prevented or reduced by good hygiene.Currently, there is no vaccine for Influenza A. The seasonal influenza vaccine is a mix to prevent the strains most likely to go around during an upcoming flu season. Since Influenza A is a new strain, the seasonal vaccine does not prevent it.Infection spreads person to person by someone who's infected coughing or sneezing on someone else. Wash your hands thoroughly and often to prevent the spread of this and other common diseases. Use warm water, lathering and scrubbing with soap for a full 20 seconds, rinsing and drying hands with a clean towel or paper towel. To prevent recontamination of hands from the faucet, use a paper towel to turn off water. Keep in mind that 20 seconds may be longer than most of us think. Time it once: Use a helpful time-keeper like singing the ABC's or another short song to see just how long 20 seconds really is. Use that time-keeper to help you remember to wash hands long enough each time. If you don't have access to water and soap, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer as an effective alternative.There are other steps one can take to reduce the likelihood of catching the latest flu. The Extension Disaster Education Network Web site has these suggestions:Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food for general good health.
|
