- If running a fever, try to reschedule travel dates.sick woman image by forca from Fotolia.com
According to the U.S. government's flu information site, flu.gov, one of the biggest ways to prevent swine flu or other types of influenza is to be sure not to travel while sick. If experiencing signs of any type of flu -- including sniffling, fever and body aches -- do not travel. - Handwashing is an important preventative measure for any illness.washing hands image by Julia Britvich from Fotolia.com
Whether at home or abroad, one of the best illness-preventing measures is to wash hands frequently with soap and warm running water. If soap and water are not available, a hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol is a good replacement, as long as hands are not visibly soiled. Hand sanitizers kill germs, but they do not remove dirt. Cover mouth while sneezing or coughing, and wash hands immediately afterward. - Especially for international destinations, flu.gov also recommends checking in with local authorities for swine flu updates and flu activity in the area. Personal discretion and judgment will help decide if travel plans should be altered or preventative measures should be taken leading up to and during travel.
- If it looks like levels may be higher than local levels, preventative measures can be taken to prepare for travel. Vaccines for H1N1 are available from a physician's office, and even from some pharmacy chains. Those looking for a more natural approach, however, are not without prevention options. While the typical immune boosters of echinacea and vitamin C are always good, a 1993 Israeli study shows that taking elderberry extract or elderberry syrup is a good preventative and curative measure. Elderberry has components that seem to specifically target various flu viruses, and the study shows that includes Swine Flu (H1N1) and Avian Flu (H5N1).
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