As the US Department of Health issues a health emergency to help deal with the outbreak of swine flu, Jani-King stands ready with procedures in place for contact and airborne precautions.
If you are a client of Jani-King’s or would like to have your facility properly cleaned and disinfected in order to help prevent the spread of Swine Flu and other viruses, please contact a Jani-King regional support office in your area.
Jani-King’s services include cleaning programs designed specifically to reduce the spread of germs on surfaces and contact areas such as door handles, railings, sinks and other high-touch points.
How do you catch swine flu? Spread of swine flu can occur in two ways:
Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with swine flu viruses. Through contact with a person with swine flu. Human-to human spread of swine flu has been documented also and is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health: Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Try to avoid close contact with sick people. If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve, then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion Severe or persistent vomiting
What should I do if someone has contracted Swine Flu in my facility?
First make sure the person(s) has sought medical attention.
Because the swine flu is passed thru the air and by touching infected surfaces it is very important to properly clean and disinfect all surface using an EPA approved hospital grade disinfectant. Not all disinfectants can kill the H1N1 virus and proper cleaning techniques must be used in order to ensure that the surfaces are being cleaned and disinfected properly. If proper procedures are not in place it is possible to help spread the virus to other surfaces in the facility.
If your facility has been contaminated by swine flu Jani-King is ready to assist you in removing this virus from your facility in order to continue daily operations. Jani-King’s staff understands how to properly process your facility and use the right disinfectants and procedures to safely remove the virus from surfaces in your facility. The previous information is directly from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and serves as information only (www.cdc.gov).
Addison, Texas
