The Tennessee Department of Health is working with the Department of Education and other federal, state and local agencies to prepare to respond to the outbreak of a novel flu virus, commonly referred to as swine flu. While no cases have yet been diagnosed in Tennessee, new cases are being identified daily in other states and internationally.

Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help

Stop Germs

Fact Sheet

1. Avoid close contact.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are

sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from

getting sick too.

2. Stay home when you are sick.

Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick.

Keep sick children at home. You will help prevent others

from catching the illness.

3. Cover your mouth and nose.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or

sneezing. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

4. Wash your hands often.

Washing your hands and the hands of your children often will

help protect you from germs.

5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Germs are often spread when a person touches something

that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her

eyes, nose, or mouth.

6. Practice other good health habits.

Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress,

drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

There is no vaccine available at this time for the current outbreak of the Swine Flu virus,

so it is important for people living in the affected areas to take steps to prevent spreading

the virus to others. If people are ill, they should stay at home and limit contact with

others, except to seek medical care. Healthy residents living in these areas should take the

everyday preventive actions listed above. People who live in these areas who develop an

illness with fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough and runny nose, and possibly

other symptoms, such as body aches, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, should contact their

health care provider. Their health care provider will determine whether influenza testing

is needed.

Here are some websites for more information on swine flu.

http://health.state.tn.us/swineflu.htm 

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/