The news about a growing number of swine (H1N1) flu cases is worrisome. The Boy Scout motto "Be prepared" is a good one to follow in any time of uncertainty. Take steps now to be ready for an outbreak in your community. If we all do our part, we can minimize the effects of any outbreak.

1. Plan

At home. Make a family health information sheet. This is a good thing to have on hand in case of any type of emergency. List each person in your family and include:

• Any allergies
• Their current medical conditions
• Any medications they take and the dosages
• The name and phone number of any doctors that they see

At work. Ask about your employer's plans in case of widespread illness.

• Discuss the possibility of working from home or in staggered shifts.
• Find out about leave policies in case you are sick or need to care for a family member.

At school. Ask about how the school plans to handle an outbreak should it occur.

• Will children be screened and sent home?
• If a child shows signs of the flu, will they be kept separate until they can be picked up by their parents?

Discuss how learning could continue if a child has to stay at home.

• Ask teachers for lesson plans or activities children can do at home, or Web sites they can access while they recuperate.
• Have on hand books, school supplies and educational games or movies for when they are feeling better.

2. Prepare

Stock up on food, water and other supplies you might need if you could not get to a store or deliveries were disrupted. These are the same things that you should have on hand in case of any natural disaster, such as a hurricane or an earthquake. Store enough nonperishable food, water and other supplies for two weeks. For example:

• Canned soups, meats, beans, fish, fruits and vegetables
• Foods that don't need to be cooked, such as protein bars, cereals, peanut butter, crackers and dried fruit
• Baby food and pet food if needed
• Plastic jugs of water (one gallon per person per day)
• Paper products such as tissues, toilet paper, paper towels and disposable diapers
• Garbage bags
• Flashlights, batteries

Keep supplies on hand that you may need in case of illness. This includes:

• Prescription medicines and medical supplies
• Soap and alcohol-based hand wash
• Nonprescription medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Anti-diarrhea medications
• Sports drinks or other fluids with electrolytes

Stay well-informed about the latest flu developments. Having good information is one of the best ways to be prepared. Some of the best sources are:

• The U.S. government site: www.pandemicflu.gov.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hotline, 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636). Information is available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Your state and local government Web sites.

3. Prevent

Make habits of the following steps. They can help prevent the spread of the flu and other respiratory illnesses:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue (or sleeve) when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash.
• Wash your hands often, especially after you cough or sneeze. If you can't use soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
• Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Try to stay six feet or more away.
• Stay home if you're sick. Do not leave your home (except to seek medical care) for 24 hours after your fever has gone away. This means that the fever should be gone without using any fever-reducing medication.
• Get the swine flu vaccine. The vaccine should be ready by mid-autumn. The CDC recommends that the swine flu vaccine be given first to those at the highest risk for complications from swine flu. But once it's more widely available, other people will likely be able to get it. If you or your family are in any of the following groups, talk to your doctor about the swine flu vaccine:
  • Pregnant women
  • Caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age
  • Health care workers
  • Children and young adults from 6 months through 24 years old
  • People 25 through 64 years old who have existing health conditions that increase their risk for flu-related complications, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, asthma or HIV

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