To allay common fears and misconceptions about the swine flu, bodyworkers and their clients could benefit from some basic facts and suggestions about this influenza strain:
1. Flu viruses have a tendency to mutate and adapt, sometimes making the jump from pigs to humans (or from birds to humans)
2. Although it originated in pigs, the strain of swine flu (H1N1) currently going around is transmitted from human to human.
3. You cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products
4. Just like other strains of the flu, influenza is primarily spread via uncovered coughing or sneezing of infected people.
5. Bodyworkers should reschedule clients who present cold -or-flu-like symptoms, just as they would for any sick person.
6. Antiviral chemoprophylaxis can be considered for practitioners at high risk for influenza complications who are working in an area with confirmed swine flu influenza A (H1N1) cases.
7. The swine flu symptoms are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting.
8. To prevent swine flu transmissions, practice good hygiene just like you normally would during flu season. This includes washing your hands often with soap and water, using alcohol-based hand cleaners, avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth and covering a cough or sneeze with a tissue (and then washing your hands).
9. An often overlooked approach to flu protection is to KEEP THE IMMUNE SYSTEM IN OPTIMAL SHAPE. By paying attention to proper nutrition, getting adequate sleep, relieving pent-up stress and engaging in regular exercise the IMMUNE SYSTEM IS BETTER ABLE TO WARD OF A FLU VIRUS WHEN IT IS ENCOUNTERED. For info on building your immune system go to
www.transferfactor.com 10. If you do get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. If you have a fever and other flu symptoms and may have had contact with someone with swine flu or severe respiratory illness in the past week, see your physician. In addition to testing for H1N1 for optimal tracking, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral drug helpful for swine influenza.
FOLLOWING UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS IS PART OF EVERY PROPERLY EDUCATED THERAPIST'S HYGIENE ROUTINE.
Posted By: James CLARK
Friday, June 12th 2009 at 3:02PM
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