Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu Protecting yourself and others Personal hygiene is really important in reducing your the chances of getting the new Influenza A (H1N1) virus, or passing it on to others: Wash and dry your hands frequently Cover your coughs and sneezes Stay away from other people if you or they are sick Contamination and cleaning If you've got flu symptoms If your condition worsens Get medical advice if you have a serious condition Back to Protecting and caring for yourself and others Wash and dry your hands frequently Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds and dry them for 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand rub. Wash your hands before preparing food and eating or smoking; after coughing, sneezing, wiping children’s noses, visiting the toilet or changing nappies. Back to top Cover your coughs and sneezes Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and put your used tissue in a bin (if you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve – not your hands). Remember to wash your hands afterwards. Avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes. Germs spread that way. Back to top Stay away from other people if you or they are sick If you become unwell, stay away from other people. Try to stay a metre away from sick people to reduce the spread of germs. Reduce time spent in crowded settings. Back to top Contamination and cleaning Regularly clean flat surfaces such as bathroom sinks, bedside cabinets, desks and table tops where germs can live for up to 48 hours. Wipe them down with a household disinfectant. See also: Information on contamination and cleaning on the Centers for Disease Control (USA) website. Back to top If you've got flu symptoms Stay at home until essentially well, that is not sneezing and coughing as this is how the virus spreads. This is usually around three to four days after symptoms start, but coughing may last up to two or three weeks. . Back to top If your condition worsens Seek medical advice by PHONING Healthline 0800 611 116 or your healthcare provider first to avoid potentially infecting others Back to top Get medical advice if you have a serious condition This includes if you have respiratory disease, heart disease, liver disease, blood disorders and neurological conditions or immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV). Back to top Website feedback We welcome your feedback on this page. Page last updated: 30 July 2009

Related resources Stop the spread of flu germs poster and translations (in the Pandemic influenza section). Waikato DHB Hand Hygiene resources: Hand Hygiene poster - English Hand Hygiene poster - Te Reo Hand Hygiene magnet Hand Hygiene New Zealand resources Hand hygiene resources developed by Hand Hygiene New Zealand, and other appropriate resources developed by DHBs, including posters and pamphlets.