The H1N1 virus will surely be back in the fall, and two articles in the Florida Sun-Sentinel suggest how to deal with it in the workplace. The first article by Judith Graham of the Chicago Tribune answers a number of basic questions, such as:
- How long should I stay home?
- How can I prevent the spread of flu at home?
- Will I need antibiotics?
The second article is for employers, and encourages them to plan and be flexible in the flu outbreak. The guidelines for employers suggest that they:
“Urge employees to stay home if they have a fever over 100. They can return 24 hours after the fever ends. Do not require a doctor’s note to verify the absence, as this may overtax doctors.
Draw up flexible plans for an outbreak, with steps such as letting employees work at home if they or relatives get sick, or if schools close.
Encourage flu-preventing hygiene: Wash hands often, cover coughs and sneezes, avoid touching mouth and eyes.
Clean surfaces touched by many employees.
Choose isolation rooms where sick employees can be segregated while waiting to go to home.
Encourage seasonal flu vaccine and H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available in October. Consider offering shots at work.
Urge high-risk employees to watch closely for symptoms.”
At the end of the article, the author – Bob LaMendola – gives the web address for the US government’s site on the H1N1 virus – www.flu.gov. The web address for the Center for Disease Control in the US is www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu (GW)
How to Protect Yourself During H1N1 Pandemic | SunSentinel | Judith Graham | 11 June 2009
Feds Encourage Employers to be Flexible in Swine Flu Outbreak | SunSentinel | Bob LaMendola | 19 August 2009
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