Preventing the Flu - FAQs:

• How is isolation and quarantine enforced?
• Who has the authority to enforce isolation and quarantine?
• How often has the Federal government used its isolation and quarantine powers?
• What diseases are subject to Federal isolation and quaranting law?
• Where can I get free flu materials like posters and brochures?
• The WHO has declared Phase 6, making the novel H1N1 virus outbreak a pandemic virus. Do you agree with their decision, and if so, what does that mean for this country?
• Is my child who has asthma at higher risk for flu-related complications?
• What is the best way to wash your hands to prevent catching the flu?
• Can I download any of the Flu.gov videos to use in my office?
• Can I use an N95 mask for more than one day?
• Will there be enough flu vaccine for all those in our country who want to have the shot?
• Will the 2009 H1N1 vaccine be recommended for patients who had flu-like illness since spring 2009?
• If my baby is sick, is it okay to breastfeed?
• Can Lysol brand or other disinfectants protect against the flu virus?
• Is it okay to take medicine to treat the flu while breastfeeding?
• What is the difference between isolation and quarantine?
• How long can a virus like novel H1N1 live on a surface outside its host?
• What ways can we prevent the spread of the flu?
• What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 (swine) flu in people?
• What can local businesses do to help families and schools during a flu response?
• What steps can schools take to keep students and staff from getting sick?
• What additional steps should schools and families take to keep students and staff from getting sick in the event that the flu is more severe?
• What is the best way to practice good hand cleaning (hygiene)?
• What can families, students, and school personnel do to keep from getting sick and spreading flu?
• What should I do if I am pregnant and I work or attend a K-12 school?
• How long should a sick student or staff member be kept home?
• Do you have special recommendations for air conditioned buildings?
• Can people get 2009 H1N1 flu virus by eating food products?
• Does hand washing work if there is no hot running water in any of the bathrooms?
• How is the U.S. government responding to the spread of the new H1N1 flu?
• Can the virus live on surfaces, such as computer keyboards?
• Should family members of sick students stay home too?
• What can schools do to increase social distance during a more severe flu outbreak?
• What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
• How should waste disposal be handled to prevent the spread of influenza virus?
• Can people catch H1N1 (swine) flu from eating or preparing pork?
• How will communities know if the flu is more severe and that they need to consider taking additional action steps?
• What steps can I take to make sure that I prepare my food properly?
• Is there a possibility that countries with flu vaccine manufacturing plants might break US contracts and keep the vaccines for themselves and their people?
• Are there any precautions to take at church? For example surfaces of contact, Pews, hynmals, etc.
• What are the FDA requirements and recommendations for the food industry regarding workers who are sick?
• What household cleaning should be done to prevent the spread of influenza virus?
• What kills influenza virus? What household cleaners kill the virus?
• How should linens, eating utensils and dishes of persons infected with influenza virus be handled?
• My daughter will be breast feeding this fall. Should she take the HINI flu vaccine?
• When should I get my seasonal flu shot?
• What is the purpose of exit screening at the border in a pandemic?
• I have a serious lung disease. Will the pneumonia vaccine protect me from the flu?
• What is the purpose of border entry screening during a flu pandemic?
• Is obesity considered an underlying medical condition placing people at higher risk of H1N1-related complications?
• What can be done to protect children from flu complications and death?
• Does hand washing really work? How does hand washing help?
• What is the most effective way to prevent the spread of flu?
• What is the best protection against the flu?
• Does Medicare pay for seniors to get the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccine?
• If an employer temporarily closes his or her place of business because of an flu pandemic and chooses to lay off some but not all employees, are there any federal laws that would govern this decision?  
• Is the flu dangerous for children to have?