SYMPTOMS OF THE H1N1 (SWINE FLU) AND THE H5N1 (BIRD OR AVIAN FLU)
Both the h1n1 and h5n1 strains of influenza are highly contagious respiratory diseases. Symptoms of both the H1N1 (swine flu)
and the H5N1 (bird or avian flu) that appears in humans can be very similar to each other and include the following:
Sudden onset of fever
Soaking sweats and shaking chills
Shortness of breath with difficulty breathing
Cough that is painful to the chest
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea and vomiting may occur
Muscle and body aches
Tiredness and fatigue
Light-headedness and faintness
Runny nose, sore throat and headache
Symptoms usually appear within one to five days of infection.
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
This emergency action plan will give you the most important steps to take to maximize your survival chances in a h1n1 swine
influenza and a h5n1 bird or avian flu pandemic outbreak.
If the government medical department is supplying an anti-viral vaccine, make certain you and your household are immunized.
Most anti-virals are effective if given when showing symptoms prior to infection or soon after coming down with a h1n1 or
h5n1virus, the protection an anti-viral provides offers weakens where the virus spreads further throughout the body.
Listen continually to your radio and television, or check the internet for information from officials regarding further
updates on the swine, bird or avian pandemic.
WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN.
Hand washing may be the most effective protective defense against the h1n1 or h5n1 influenza virus infection.
Have an alcohol-based disinfectant (dispenser or wipes) with you. Use them when it is not practical to wash your hands every
time you touch something that may pass the infection onto you.
PUT YOUR HAND OVER YOUR MOUTH AND NOSE WHEN SNEEZING.
Use face tissues instead of a handkerchief. Place soiled face tissues in a plastic bag and put the bag in an enclosed waste
storage area.
GUARD YOUR EYES.
Don't touch your eyes with your fingers or with any clothing or material that may have been contaminated by the bird, avian
or swine flu virus, and wear eye protection such as goggles.
Wearing medical or rubber gloves can prevent the virus from getting onto your hands, latex gloves or durable rubber gloves
can be used. Cotton gloves can be worn under durable gloves to prevent a skin rash developing.
Pull gloves off inside-out, and clean hands thoroughly after taking off the gloves.
Dispose of gloves and masks properly. Leave them in a plastic bag, then put the bag into an enclosed waste container.
USING A BREATHING APPARATUS.
A breathing respirator will protect you from inhaling the h1n1 or h5n1 virus if you are out in a public space. A surgical
mask will prevent you from spreading the influenza infection.
Make sure the respirator is fitted properly otherwise it will be of no use.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Limit contact with individuals and the public. This is the most reliable way to prevent exposure to the infection and
becoming contaminated yourself. Remember, it's all about keeping it simple to survive.
Remain in the house and don't go to work during a pandemic plague, there is an extremely high possibility of you being
exposed to a contaminated colleague as symptoms of the disease are not immediately noticeable.
Keep your kids home from school, as they will be in close contact with other children and the threat of exposure to the virus
is very high. Likewise, during a pandemic outbreak it is often much harder for kids to keep up careful hygiene practices than
adults.
Keep away from community transport and public gatherings. Large numbers of people in such close contact makes for an ideal
environment for widespread exposure to the dangerous h1n1 swine influenza or the h5n1 bird or avian flu developing.
Try to find immediate medical treatment if you become infected, or someone you have been in close contact with becomes
contaminated or symptomatic.
So there you have it, an emergency action plan that provides just the basics, no information overload and no wasting time
when you must know how to prepare for and live through a h1n1 or h5n1 flu pandemic outbreak.
Ron Kelly is a retired First Response Professional experienced in disaster and crisis situations. He is author of the 'Best
Urban Disaster Survival Books' that contain the simple, step-by-step 'shortcuts to survival' Action Blueprints and Emergency
Guides that tell you how to survive a terrifying natural urban disaster at home, in the office, or your car.
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