Precautions to take to avoid swine flu infection

Swine fever is spreading rapidly from Mexico to other parts of the globe. But with the development of an effective vaccine still several months away, it looks as though the public may be well advised to take their own precautions against the contagious virus.

Here is a guide to what will and what won't help.

WORTHWHILE PRECAUTIONS

Basic hygieneYour chances of avoiding the virus will be improved if you keep rigorously clean. Keep a small bottle of alcohol hand rub in your pocket and wash your hands regularly. Throw away tissues that you've sneezed on. As the virus can survive for up to 24 hours on a hard surface, it is also important to regularly clean with disinfectant door handles or railings which you and others might touch.

IsolationSo far, Mexico has adopted the most serious measures against swine fever. The health authorities have closed schools, stopped crowds from gathering at football games and other events and warned against using the metro. They've advised people not to greet each other with handshakes or kissing, and suggested maintaining a distance of at least six feet from each other.

Meanwhile, in Britain, the NHS has advised people to get in two weeks' worth of food, and to establish a mutually supportive network of friends who will be able to collect medicine for each other should any fall ill.

MedicineTamiflu capsules and Relenza, which is taken with an inhaler, should provide effective treatment if they are taken early in the course of the disease, unless the H1N1 virus mutates to a different form. However, as yet these are only available on prescription from the NHS and cannot yet be bought.

BARELY WORTHWHILE

Face masksSwine fever can be transmitted both by contact with bacteria and through the air, so wearing a face mask is unlikely to protect you. The masks generally available from chemists have pores which the virus is small enough to get through. Wearing a mask might, however, help to stop you passing it on to others by coughing or sneezing.

ScreeningThough thermal imaging technology for monitoring passengers' body temperatures can detect passengers who have come from infected areas with flu, this precaution is unlikely to be of much use, as it can take days after a person has contracted the virus for symptoms to appear.

Non-traditional medicinesJust as you can't stop a common cold, nor is there any way of insuring against getting the flu. Certain herbs, nutrients and vitamins may be generally beneficial, but they won't keep swine fever away.