| | Dear INDIAN,
| | | The H1N1 virus is expected to become increasingly active during the upcoming winter season. This could | | result in a surge of cases around the world. Although the nature of the infection is generally mild, | | more severe infections can occur in high-risk groups such as the elderly and those with already | | compromised immune systems. | | | | | | While the virus has been showing some change in behavior, there is no concrete evidence that it is | | leading to a change in the intensity of the infection. The majority of cases involve mild illness, and | | the virus is still responding to anti-viral medication (Tamiflu). On a related note, the H1N1 vaccine | | remains unavailable in India, but Indian pharmaceutical companies are in the process of developing their| | own vaccination(s) to fight the virus. | This advisory outlines necessary precautions and preventive measures that peoples should adopt while | | at home or work so that you, your family and friends can ward off infection during the winter and | | international holiday season. | | | | | | Regards, | | Ravishankar Channabasappa | | Country Manager - Integrated Health Services | | | | | | | | | | Facts about H1N1 Flu | | | | H1N1 is now the dominant flu strain in most parts of the world. | | | | The pandemic will persist in the coming months as the virus continues to move through susceptible | | populations. | | | | The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and may include fever, cough, | | headache, body aches, chills, fatigue, sneezing, sore throat and a running nose. A significant | | number of people who have been infected with this new H1N1 virus have also reported diarrhea and | | vomiting. | | | | The overwhelming majority of patients continue to experience mild illness. | | | | People aged 65+, children who are below 5 years old, pregnant women and people of any age with chronic medical conditions (like asthma, diabetes, heart disease or immunosuppressive diseases) are | at higher risk of experiencing serious complications from H1N1. | | | | | | | | Preventing the spread of H1N1 Flu | | | | Wash your hands... | | ...before eating or preparing food | | ...after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose | | ...after using the washroom | | | | Hand washing technique: | | Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Rinse well, with hands held downwards. Dry with a| | paper towel. Then, use the towel to turn off the faucet. | | If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand cleanser. Alcohol-based hand cleansers| | significantly reduce the number of germs. | | | | Spread of germs: | | Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs often spread when a person touches something | | contaminated and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth. | | | | Avoid close contact with people who are ill | | Attempt to keep at least three (3) feet or one (1) meter away from ill individuals. | | When ill, keep your distance from others to protect them from falling ill. | | Practice respiratory etiquette. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, use tissues and| | dispose of them properly in closed bins. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water/disinfectant| | afterwards. | | | | | | If you fall ill... | | If you have been diagnosed with H1N1 Flu or have symptoms of this illness such as fever and cough, sore | | throat or body aches, you are requested to refrain from coming into any IBM work environment (including | | clients/client sites). | | | | | This restriction applies for seven (7) calendar days from the last date of exposure to the person who is| | ill. During this time period, the exposed individual should conduct self-screening tests daily to | | identify symptoms of illness. | | | | If you become ill at work, you should leave the work environment immediately or as soon as possible. | | Inform your manager of your illness. Stay at least 1 meter/3 feet from others to prevent them from | | falling ill. Cover your mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing, using tissues. Dispose of the tissues| | properly by throwing them into covered bins. Wash your hands afterwards. | | | | Caregiver Instructions | | If you are directly caring for someone who is ill with H1N1 flu and have had prolonged periods of close | | contact, it may be possible for you to transmit the illness to someone else just prior to falling ill | | yourself. The presence of a sick | | individual in your home does not in and of itself preclude you from reporting to work if you are not a | | caregiver and have no symptoms. | | | | In all other circumstances, exposed individuals may come into the workplace unless otherwise directed by| | the local/country health department or customer/client instructions. The exposed individual should | | conduct self screening for illness symptoms and fever daily for seven days from the last date of | | exposure. | | | | If there are questions about an exposure situation not described above, please contact the IBM | | Integrated Health Services (IHS). | | | | | | Self screening | | Individuals need to perform H1N1 Flu self-screening following exposure to a confirmed or suspected case.| | | | To conduct a self-screening, please perform the following steps: | | | | Step One: Check whether you have symptoms of illness including fever and cough, sore throat or body | | ache. | | | | Step Two: Check your temperature using a standard, good quality thermometer while following the | | manufacturer’s instructions. | | | | Step Three: If you have symptoms as described in step one or you have a temperature greater than 100.4oF| | or 38oC, you must not go into the workplace. Instead, follow the instructions below till you have | | completely recovered: | | | | | Contact your personal physician for further health instructions, especially if you are at higher risk| | for complications | | Follow the guidance in the Illness instructions if you become ill | | | | |------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | |------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| Tarun -- ============================ Thanx And Regards Tarun kumar Aggarwal IMS Gzb Ghaziabad India PH. NO. 09811298451 ============================= Life's Good! Live it!-------------------------------- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Computer Tech Support" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/computer-tech-support?hl=en.
