2) Q: Should I purchase face masks for the whole family?

A: If you have someone in the house who has a definite or probable case of H1N1, it would be a good idea to purchase face masks for that person to wear in common areas of the house--and for the caregiver to use when they are around the sick person.  It also might be a good idea to own a face mask if you have someone in the family who is at risk of getting particularly sick if they get H1N1 (people less than 2 or over 65, pregnant women, people with chronic disease, problems with their immune system, or on aspirin therapy) in case you end up being somewhere where there are known or suspected cases of H1N1.  Otherwise, there is really no need.

2)    Should I wipe down the handles in supermarket carts?

It's not a bad idea to carry some antibacterial wipes with you and wipe down things like supermarket cart handles that get touched by many people.  Since you can't wipe down absolutely everything, carry hand sanitizer and use it frequently.


3)    How can I protect my newborn? Should I avoid going out in public places with her?

Newborns are vulnerable to all sorts of germs, not just flu viruses, so keeping them protected is a good idea all the time, not just now.  Here are some ideas for keeping your newborn (actually, any baby less than six months old) healthy:
•    Be careful about who holds and touches her.  Everybody wants to hold and touch babies, because they are so cute--but anybody who is even slightly sick should keep their distance.  If you present it as a "rule", people will be less likely to take offense (not that you should care if they do).
•    Even if people seem healthy, insist that they wash their hands (or use hand sanitizer) before holding or touching the baby.
•    Avoid crowded public places if possible.  If you need to go out, consider using a sling or other baby carrier that keeps her close to you.
•    Breastfeed!  Breast milk contains antibodies that can help keep her healthy.  Don't stop breastfeeding if you get sick--the antibodies your body makes to fight your infection will pass through the milk and give her a head start on fighting the same infection.  If she gets sick, breast milk is absolutely the best thing for her.


4)    Would it help to get Tamiflu if I can get it?

Antivirals such as Tamiflu and Relenza don't cure H1N1 flu, but they can make it less severe.  They are also used to protect people who are exposed to H1N1, like close family contacts of a case.  Most people who get H1N1 flu probably won't need Tamiflu; they will get better just fine on their own.  

These medications are prescribed by a doctor.  If you or someone in your family gets sick with H1N1 flu, you and your doctor will decide if taking medication makes sense.

 
5)    Can botanicals and homeopathic remedies protect against my family?

Nothing takes the place of washing your hands, staying away from sick people, and other healthy habits (see the answer to the next question).  If you have questions about particular homeopathic or botanical remedies, talk to your doctor or visit nccam.nih.gov, the website for the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

6)    Does anyone know proactive steps to protect ourselves and our families?

Here are the CDC's recommendations for staying healthy:
•    Stay informed.  Visit the CDC website regularly to make sure you know what you need to know.
•    Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue out.
•    Wash your hands often (especially after you cough or sneeze) with soap and water, or with alcohol-based sanitizer if you don't have soap and water handy
•    Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, as germs spread that way
•    Stay home if you get sick
•    Follow advice from your local public health authorities

7)    Should I stock up on extra supplies in case I need to stay home from a pandemic?

While it hopefully won't be necessary, it's probably a good idea to stock up on a few supplies in case you need to hunker down for a few days.  For example, if someone in your family gets sick, you may need to stay inside until everyone in the house is feeling better in order to prevent germs from spreading to others.  Non-perishable food and medications (particularly prescription medications) would be the most important supplies to have.

8)    Are fruits and vegetables imported from Mexico safe?

To the best of our knowledge, H1N1 flu is spread by people, not produce.  That said, it's always a good idea to wash fruits and vegetables very well before eating them, to clean off any germs. 

10) Someone in my apartment building may have swine flu, what should we do?

Don't panic.  Hopefully the person will stay inside their apartment, and your risk of getting the illness won't be much higher.  Definitely stay away from the person and their family members.  Wash your hand often, especially after coming in or going out of the building (when you might touch things the sick person might have touched). Don't hang out in common areas of your building; being a little antisocial can be a good idea in these situations.