Keep playing, but protect yourself from the flu...

With the recent pandemic status of the swine flu (H1N1), it is important for those who engage in sports and recreational activities, including tennis, to be judicious in preventing transmission of this potentially harmful virus. Further, it is especially critical that those living in collegiate dormitory housing follow the necessary precautions with painstaking attention.

Like all viruses, the best way to help prevent infection and protect yourself is to follow proper hygiene routines. The following routines are recommended by the CDC and what you can do to stay healthy:

• Get vaccinated. Vaccination is the best protection we have against flu. Seasonal flu vaccine is available now and initial doses of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine also are available with additional doses being produced every day. Please contact your doctor or if you are at college, health services.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Stay away from people who are sick.
• Wash hands often with soap and water. Remember to wash for 15 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• If someone in the house or dorm is sick, try to keep the sick person in a separate room from others in the household or dorm, if possible.
• Keep surfaces like bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
• Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by sick persons in your household in the trash.
• Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Some additional precautions for athletes and those in collegiate dormitory housing:

• Wash all practice clothes and/or uniforms after each use.
• Do not share cups or soft drink cans or bottles while competing or when at home. Many readers will know of a popular game in the college setting called "beer pong". While I do not recommend this activity, I will caution those participating not to share cups and never to drink fluids from any cup that has had a potentially harmful, virus carrying ball, floating in its contents.

Do not share towels.

Wash hands immediately after play and always before eating. Use paper towels for drying hands after hand washing or dedicate cloth towels to each person in the household. For example, have different colored towels for each person. If soap and water are not available, persons should use an alcohol-based hand rub. If possible, consideration should be given to maintaining good ventilation in shared household areas (e.g., keeping windows open in restrooms, kitchen, bathroom, etc.).

For additional information about H1N1 and how to protect yourself click here.

Nuff said...