Prevention tips for students to limit the spread of the Human-Swine Flu
There are a number of simple measures you can take to limit the spread of Human-Swine Flu (H1N1).
- Regularly wash your hands throughout the day. Consider personal use of alcohol-based hand sanitiser gel, which is commonly available for purchase from pharmacies and supermarkets.
- If possible, keep a reasonable distance (about a metre) during your contact with people who indicate that they have been diagnosed with Human-Swine Flu or think they may have this illness.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in a plastic-lined rubbish bin after you use it. Then wash your hands. If you do not have a tissue, you can cough or sneeze into your sleeve or inner elbow.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Limit personal contact (i.e. handshaking) where possible.
- Wash your hands afterwards if you have been in contact with a person or material (such as paperwork) from someone suspected of having this illness, before moving on to other business.
- Wipe flat or shared surfaces in your household or shared spaces with a disinfectant wipe regularly throughout the day. Disinfectant wipes are available for purchase from pharmacies or supermarkets.
- Practice good hygiene in class rooms and where there is shared preparation of food.
- Don’t attend the University if you are ill, and go home if you fall ill during the day.
- Seek medical advice from your General Practitioner, and do this with minimal delay if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are pregnant. Initial medical advice from a registered nurse is also available from the Victorian Department of Human Services, Nurse On Call Service: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/nurseoncall/.
- If you have any queries or concerns about Human-Swine Flu in relation to your studies, please contact your Student Centre.
Update 20 October 2009: free vaccination is now available to all students, including overseas students.