INFLUENZA.

Shannon News, 26 July 1929, Page 3

INFLUENZA.

PRECAUTIONS AND WARNINGS.

(Issued By the Department of Health)

Influenza is a highly infectious*disease, and the avoidance of infection is difficult. There -are certain precautions, however, which if undertaken should reduce the liability both of acquiring, and spreading infection.

Therefore — (.1) See that your rooms are airy and well ventilated at all times. (2) During influenza prevalence avoid all conditions of crowding, and thus reduce the liability of coming in- ' o close contact with those who may be “incubating” or carrying the disease or who have “colds.”

(3) Do not cough or sneeze without protecting the mouth with a handkerchief. , . . , (4) Do not unnecessarily visit those suffering from influenza. (5) Do not try To “work off” the disease, but stay at home and go to bed. (6) Remain in the fresh air as much as possible, and avoid to the greatest possible extent crowded tram-cais, trains ,and buses. , _ (7) Use gargle and nose-douche twice daily. When attacked — ,

• (1) God to bed and keep warm; 'stay there until the doctor gives permission to get up. . , (2) Isolation of the patient, from t«.; rest of the household should be practised. _ (3) All sputum and discharge from the nose should be received into cloths, which should be burned _ : (4) Sterilize all handkerchiefs by boiling. (5) All patient’s dishes should be “scalded” or, if possible, “boiled. (6) The hands both of the attendant and the patient should receive scrupulous attention. (7) Only one member of household should attend patient. (8) Other members of the household and the attendant should frequently gargle the throat and douche the nose. (9) Visiting should be prohibited. Remember that the chief danger of influenza lies in the complications and that these complications arise chiefly as the result of carelessness such as not going to bed soon enough, getting up too soon, and reducing the Dodily ■resistance by exposure to cold and wet. Over-exertion in the convalescent period is also dangerous. The following gargles and nosedouches are useful: —

, (1) Add a tablespoonful of compound glycerine of thymol to a .tumbleiful of warm water. (2) Dissolve half a teaspoonful of common salt in a tumberful of warm water and add sufficient permanganate of potash or Condy’s crystals; to give a light pink colour.