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i <br /> All people with swine flu who are not hospitalized, and their household and other close contacts,will need <br /> to stay at home to prevent spread of illness to otherp eo le. <br /> If I have sine flu,can I stay at home? <br /> People with mild or moderate illness can and should be cared for at home to prevent spread. Things people who <br /> have swine flu who are cared for at home should do include: <br /> 0 check with their health care provider about any special care they might need if they are pregnant or have a <br /> health condition such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, or emphysema <br /> • check with their health care provider about whether they should take antiviral medications <br /> • stay home for at least 7 clays after onset of illness; or until free of symptoms (including fever) for 24 hours, <br /> which ever is longer <br /> • get plenty of rest <br /> • drink clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants) to keep from being <br /> dehydrated <br /> • cover coughs and sneezes. Clean hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often and <br /> especially after using tissues and after coughing or sneezing into hands. <br /> Dever cough in the direction of someone else. <br /> • avoid close contact with others—do not go to work <br /> or school while ill <br /> • be watchful for emergency yarning signs (see below) that might indicate you need to seek medical attention <br /> Get medical care right away if ffie sick person at home: <br /> has difficulty breathing or chest pain <br /> leas purple or blue discoloration of the lips <br /> is vomiting and unable to keep liquids down <br /> has signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, absence of urination, or in infants, a lack of tears <br /> when they cry <br /> has seizures (for example, uncontrolled convulsions) is less responsive than normal or becomes confused <br /> Is there a vaccine for swine flu? <br /> No. Fight now there is no vaccine for swine flu. According to CDC, it is unlikely that the vaccine for seasonal <br /> flu will prevent swine flu. <br /> Is it safe to cook and eat pork and pork products <br /> Yes. It is safe to eat properly handled and cooked pork and pork products. Swine flu viruses are not spread by <br /> food. You cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products. <br /> Why is swine flu important? <br /> Approximately every 20-40 years, a new strain of the flu virus appears which is very different from the ordinary <br /> seasonal flu virus. When this happens most people do not have immunity to this new strain of flu virus and it <br /> can spread to many people, across the world, over a short period of time. This is called an influenza pandemic. <br /> Some people think that swine flu viruses aright play a role in the start of the next pandemic. <br /> For more information about seasonal flu, pandemic flu,avian flu and swine flu,please visit the websites <br /> listed below or contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and <br /> Immunization at 617-983-6800. <br /> • Massachusetts Department of Public Health website on influenza <br /> httmL/www.m ass. ov d h flu <br /> • Center for Disease Control (CDC) websites on swine flu <br /> http://www.cdc.g-Qv/swineflu/ <br /> ril 27, 2009 <br />