Just like most flu seasons, there comes a point in time where staying at home to avoid coming down with the bug won't do you any good.
According to the Seattle Times, that time for the H1N1 virus has arrived. There's widespread flu activity in 46 states. While you can't halt life to avoid getting sick, you can try your best to avoid getting sick, especially while traveling.
Q: Is it OK to travel during the swine-flu outbreak?
A: The CDC says "some travelers at increased risk of complications from flu may want to consider postponing travel." The agency identifies those in the high-risk categories as pregnant women, adults older than 65, babies and children under 5, and those with chronic illnesses. If you are in a high-risk category and must travel, the CDC recommends that you talk to a doctor about whether to take flu medications with you in case you can't get medical care right away.
Q: Will I face a health screening if I fly?
A: The United States is not screening either inbound or outbound air travelers, according to the CDC. But you may face screening in other countries, including having your temperature taken by a walk-by thermal scanner or with an oral or ear thermometer. Last spring and summer, the U.S. State Department received many reports of U.S. citizens who were quarantined in China during the swine-flu outbreak. In some cases, they had no symptoms but had merely been on flights that stopped in Mexico en route to Asia. For more information from the State Department, visit travel.state.gov.
Q: How can I protect myself against swine flu? Should I wear a face mask?
A: The CDC says there is little information on the effectiveness of disposable paper face masks. They are not recommended in most settings.
The most important thing you can do is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. To protect others, use a tissue or cough and sneeze into your sleeve.
Frequent travelers have other rituals, too. Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel.com, says she cleans airplane tray tables with sanitizing wipes, and she avoids putting items in the seat-back pocket, where previous passengers may have stored dirty tissues.
For more Q & A read the rest of the article on the Seattle Times online.
