Industrial - Environmental Protection Masks, Nano Masks, N95, Pandemic Protection Packs, Germicides, and more!

Swine Flu / Bird Flu / Avian Influenza Prevention and Protection Products... PANDEMIC FLU PROTECTION AND PREVENTION

CDC Recommendations for Swine Flu & Avian Influenza include:
Use of a fit-tested respirator, at least as protective as a National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved N-95 filtering facepiece (i.e., disposable) respirator, when entering the room.

PLEASE NOTE THAT EXPRESS SHIPPING IS NOT GUARANTEED DURING ELEVATED THREAT/ELEVATED DEMAND PERIODS - YOU MAY ALWAYS CALL US TO ORDER BY PHONE.

Click for... N95 Masks / Face Masks Pandemic Protection Packs Germicides Gloves

NEW! - Virus & Pandemic Avoidance Pack

Virus & Pandemic Avoidance Pack

ITEM/SKU: FAO-537

PREPARE & PREVENT:

PANDEMIC AVOIDANCE PACK: DESIGNED TO COMPLY WITH CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS FOR H1N1 / SWINE FLU PREVENTION AND PROTECTION ANGAINST AIRBORNE AND OTHER VIRUSES

Click Here to see Kit Contents & Details

(4) Medical Grade – Large – non-sterile gloves
(1) 4 oz. Purell Hand Sanitizer
(5) Procedural Masks – individually wrapped w/instructions
(1) Respirator Mask – N95 rated – individually wrapped w/instructions
(1) Red translucent vinyl bag – Medium – zips closed


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$22.00
Case of 15 Retail Price:
$330.00
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NEW! - Virus & Pandemic Avoidance Pack

Virus & Pandemic Avoidance Pack

ITEM/SKU: FAO-447

PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS

PANDEMIC AVOIDANCE PACK: DESIGNED TO COMPLY WITH CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS FOR H1N1 / SWINE FLU PREVENTION AND PROTECTION AGAINST AIRBORNE AND OTHER VIRUSES ~ Contains products suggested by the CDC & World Health Organization when dealing with or preparing for the pandemic flu virus

Includes:
(10) Medical Grade – Large – non-sterile gloves
(1) 4 oz. Purell Hand Sanitizer
(10) Procedural Masks – individually wrapped w/ instructions
(2) Respirator Mask – N95 rated – individually wrapped w/ instructions
(1) Orange Nylon bag w/ reflective strip – Large – zips closed  

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$28.00
Case of 15 Retail Price:
$420.00
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-$14.00
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Personal Protection Kit - Reduce your biohazard risk

Personal Protection Kit - Reduce your biohazard risk

ITEM/SKU: PP-106

Reduce your biohazard risks with this basic personal protection kit. Includes an N95 rated mask, exam quality gloves to protect your hands, and germicidal wipes to disinfect surfaces.

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$12.00
Case of 20 Retail Price:
$240.00
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$80.00
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Deluxe Germ Guard Personal Protection Pack with N95 Mask


Deluxe Germ Guard Personal Protection Pack with N95 Mask

ITEM/SKU: RC-650

The American Red Cross Germ Guard Personal Protection Pack is a one-person pack containing supplies that could help prevent contamination in a Pandemic.

(10) Alcohol Cleansing Wipes
(2) Exam Quality Vinyl Gloves, 1 pair
(1) Tissue Pack
(1) Hand Sanitizer, 1 fl oz bottle
(1) N95 particulate face mask

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$12.95
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Deluxe Germ Guard Personal Protection Pack with N95 Mask

 

Deluxe Germ Guard Personal Protection Pack with N95 Mask

ITEM/SKU: RC-651

This 30-piece pack contains twice the supplies of the RC-650, including two (2) N95 masks.

The American Red Cross Germ Guard Personal Protection Pack is a one-person pack containing supplies that could help prevent contamination in a Pandemic.

(20) Alcohol Cleansing Wipes
(4) Exam Quality Vinyl Gloves, 1 pair
(2) N95 Particulate Mask
(2) Sanitizing Gel, 1 oz.
(2) Tissue Pack

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$19.95
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Deluxe Germ Guard Personal Protection Pack

 

Deluxe Germ Guard Personal Protection Pack

ITEM/SKU: RC-652

The American Red Cross Germ Guard Personal Protection Pack is a one-person pack containing supplies that could help prevent contamination in a Pandemic.

(10) Alcohol Cleansing Wipes
(2) Exam Quality Vinyl Gloves, 1 pair
(1) Tissue Pack
(1) Hand Sanitizer, 1 fl oz bottle
(1) N95 procedural mask

Retail Price:
$12.95
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-$3.16
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$9.79
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Pandemic Preparedness Pack for 1 person


Pandemic Preparedness Pack for 1 person

ITEM/SKU: AVIANKIT1

Pandemic Preparedness Pack / Protective Bird Flu Kit

This kit has everything you need to protect yourself from possible infection when entering an area with known contamination.

Click Here to see Kit Contents & Details
  • (5) Pyramex 1870 N95 Respirator Mask
  • (1) Safety Goggles
  • (1) Disposable White Coverall w/ Elasticized hood, wrist, and boot
  • (1) 2 pair of High risk Nitryl Gloves
  • (1) Insta-Clean Hand sanitizer
  • (6) Antimicrobial hand wipes
  • (1) Box of 10 Alcohol Prep Wipes
  • (5) Blue Elasticized Shoe Covers
  • (5) Blue Elasticized Head Caps
  • (1) Water Resistant Plastic Bag

Retail Price:
$34.95
Case of 5 Retail Price:
$174.75
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$24.50
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$100.00
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Procedural Ear Loop Face Mask (ELFM) - Individually Wrapped with Instructions


Procedural Ear Loop Face Mask (ELFM) - Individually Wrapped with Instructions

ITEM/SKU: M9000

This mask is made of a 3-ply polypropylene construction, and is fiberglass free and latex free. Use it as comfortable and efficient protection against dust and other particulates.

This mask is 99% effective against bacteria, and resistant against fluid.

Cautions & Limitations:
1) This mask is NOT a NIOSH N95 apprroved respirator.
2) This mask should be used for protection against bacteria and nuisance dusts only.

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$1.50
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-$1.05
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Eye Cover With Ear Loop Mask - 100 per case


Eye Cover With Ear Loop Mask - 100 per case

ITEM/SKU: M900

Vital protection for your eyes, nose, and mouth when you're caring for someone who's injured or you're cleaning up bodily fluids and bio-hazardous materials. One size fits all. Mask has a foam strip on back to prevent condensation from escaping and fogging up eyeglasses. Wraparound eye shield provides maximum eye and facial protection. Latex free masks have a breathable, fluid-resistant polypropylene facing, and full width covered nosepiece. Exceed the AORN standard of 95% bacterial filtration efficiency. Blue.

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$229.98
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N95 Particulate Respirator Mask - Duckbill Style, 20/box


N95 Particulate Respirator Mask
N95 Particulate Respirator Mask

ITEM/SKU: M9410-FM-20

Used for the effective protection against the transmission of airborne pathogens. Contains soft hypoallergenic inner facial lining, and elastic retention band for easy application. N95 RATED

20 per box

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$68.95
Case of 12 Retail Price:
$827.40
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-$34.47
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Gloves, vinyl, medium, 100 per box


Gloves, vinyl, medium, 100 per box

ITEM/SKU: M542

Our Vinyl Gloves have a wide range of applications in the medical, dental, laboratory, electronic and food service fields. Their textured surface improves your grip as they protect you from bodily fluids and the transmission of germs. Ideal for people who are sensitive to natural rubber proteins.

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$13.00
Case of 10 Retail Price:
$130.00
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-$5.38
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-$71.80
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$58.20
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Gloves, vinyl, small, 100 per box


Gloves, vinyl, small, 100 per box

ITEM/SKU: M541

Our Vinyl Gloves have a wide range of applications in the medical, dental, laboratory, electronic and food service fields. Their textured surface improves your grip as they protect you from bodily fluids and the transmission of germs. Ideal for people who are sensitive to natural rubber proteins.

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$13.00
Case of 10 Retail Price:
$130.00
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-$5.38
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-$66.64
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Gloves, exam quality, 4 per single unit box


Gloves, exam quality, 4 per single unit box

ITEM/SKU: AN5112

Our exam quality gloves have a wide range of applications in the medical, dental, laboratory, electronic and food service fields. Protects from bodily fluids and the transmission of germs.

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$2.50
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Gloves, nitrile latex free medical grade, 4 per single unit box


Gloves, nitrile latex free medical grade, 4 per single unit box

ITEM/SKU: AN5011

Our Nitrile medical grade (latex free) gloves have a wide range of applications in the medical, dental, laboratory, electronic and food service fields. Gloves resist punctures and tears while they protect your hands from germs and bodily fluids. Made from synthetic rubber and contain no natural rubber latex proteins. This item meets ANSI Z308.1-2003 standards.

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$3.50
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-$1.71
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Thermometer, 3-1/2" reusable, 1 each with card

 

ITEM/SKU: M5125-CARD

Thermometer, 3-1/2" reusable, clinical, 1 ea. (card) For an inexpensive and easy body temperature reading, try the Nextemp™ reusable clinical thermometer. This single strip thermometer can be used orally and axillary for accurate body temperature readings.

Retail Price:
$1.99
Case of 50 Retail Price:
$99.50
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-$1.11
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InstaClean Antiseptic Hand Cleaner Gel, 4 oz. Plastic Bottle, 1 each

 

InstaClean antiseptic hand cleaner gel, 4 oz. plastic bottle, 1 ea.

ITEM/SKU: M927

InstaClean antiseptic hand cleaner gel, 4 oz. plastic bottle, 1 ea.

Our freshly scented antiseptic bio hand cleaner kills bacteria, fights infection, and reduces the likelihood of disease transmission between persons. Active ingredient: Isopropyl Alcohol

  • Kills Germs without Soap and Water
  • Supplements Routine Hand Washing
  • Enriched with Vitamin E
Retail Price:
$6.00
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$144.00
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Sanizide™ Plus environmental surface germicidal solution, 2 oz. plastic bottle w/ pump spray, 1 ea.

Sanizide™ Plus environmental surface germicidal solution, 2 oz. plastic bottle w/ pump spray, 1 ea.

ITEM/SKU: M919

Sanizide™ Plus environmental surface germicidal solution, 2 oz. plastic bottle w/ pump spray, 1 ea.

Use our one step, ready-to-use (alcohol free) germicidal solution by SaniZide™ Plus in critical care areas where controlling cross-contamination is vital. Proven effective against a wide variety of bacterial and viral pathogens including Staph, Salmonella, Herpes Simplex Type II and the human immuno-deficiency virus Type I (HIV-1) associated with AIDS all in under ten minutes. Active Ingredients: n-Alkyl Dimethyl Ethybenzyl Ammonium Chloride, n-Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol.

Retail Price:
$6.89
Case of 12 Retail Price:
$82.68
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-$3.44
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-$81.60
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$3.45
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Sanizide™ Plus Environmental surface germicidal solution, 16 oz. bottle w/ trigger - 1 each

 

Sanizide™ Plus Environmental surface germicidal solution, 16 oz. bottle w/ trigger - 1 each

ITEM/SKU: M920

Sanizide™ Plus Environmental surface germicidal solution, 16 oz. bottle w/ trigger - 1 each

Use our one step, ready-to-use (alcohol free) germicidal solution by SaniZide Plus in critical care areas where controlling cross-contamination is vital. Proven effective against a wide variety of bacterial and viral pathogens including Staph, Salmonella, Herpes Simplex Type II and the human immuno-deficiency virus Type I (HIV-1) associated with AIDS all in under ten minutes. Active Ingredients: n-Alkyl Dimethyl Ethybenzyl Ammonium Chloride, n-Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol.

Retail Price:
$17.00
Case of 12 Retail Price:
$204.00
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-$8.28
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-$115.68
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$8.72
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$88.32
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Sanizide Plus environmental surface germicidal solution, 1 gallon refill, 1 ea.

 

Sanizide Plus environmental surface germicidal solution, 1 gallon refill, 1 ea.

ITEM/SKU: M922

Use our one step, ready-to-use (alcohol free) germicidal solution by SaniZide Plus in critical care areas where controlling cross-contamination is vital. Proven effective against a wide variety of bacterial and viral pathogens including Staph, Salmonella, Herpes Simplex Type II and the human immuno-deficiency virus Type I (HIV-1) associated with AIDS all in under ten minutes. Active Ingredients: n-Alkyl Dimethyl Ethybenzyl Ammonium Chloride, n-Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol.

Retail Price:
$57.50
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$230.00
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Super Sani-Cloth germicidal (kills germs) wipe, 5"x8"


Germicidal Wipe - 50 per box

ITEM/SKU: M905

Highly effective in high-risk situations, Super Sani-Cloth destroys more types of microorganisms than any other wipe. It's the only wipe proven effective against VRE, MRSA and E-Coli, and no other disinfectant kills Tuberculosis, HIV and Herpes viruses, or such a wide range of gram positive and gram negative bacteria faster than Super Sani-Cloth. Convenient and easy to use, it virtually eliminates airborne hazards associated with sprays. Allows a large area to be disinfected in one easy step. Complies with OSHA guidelines. Active Ingredients: n-Alkyl Dimethyl Ethybenzyl Ammonium Chloride, n-Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol.

Retail Price:
$29.50
Case of 10 Retail Price:
$295.00
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-$14.20
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-$159.16
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5"x8" Personal antimicrobial (kills germs) wipe, 100 per box


Personal Antimicrobial Wipe - 100 per box

ITEM/SKU: M928

Our Antimicrobial wipes by Safetec are ideal for hand sanitizing when soap and water are not available, helping you comply with OSHA handwashing regulations. These 5" x 8" antimicrobial hand wipes are formulated with PCMX and SD-Alcohol to kill germs on contact, as well as Aloe Vera to condition and prevent drying of the skin.. Active ingredients: Chloroxylenol (PCMX) 0.5%, Ethyl Alcohol 40.0% and Aloe.

Retail Price:
$23.00
Case of 10 Retail Price:
$230.00
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-$11.12
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Nice Cleansing towelette, 5"x8" (cleans & refreshes), 100 per box


Nice Cleansing Towelette - 100 per box

ITEM/SKU: M323

Our pre-moistened towelettes are ideal for daily use. Cleans and refreshes hands, face and body without soap and water. Dries in seconds. Wipes measure 5" X 8". Active ingredients: Benzalkonium Chloride and Alcohol.

Benzalkonium chloride solutions are rapidly acting biocidal agents with a moderately long duration of action. They are active against bacteria and some viruses, fungi, and protozoa.

Retail Price:
$7.50
Case of 10 Retail Price:
$75.00
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-$3.68
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ANTISEPTIC HAND SANITIZER PACK, 10 each - SmartTab Refill


ANTISEPTIC HAND SANITIZER PACK, 10 each - SmartTab Refill

ITEM/SKU: FAE-4007

SmartTab™ EzRefill 4007: 10 each - ANTISEPTIC HAND SANITIZER PACK SmartTab™ / Smart Tab 4007

Also part numbers: FAE-4007-R

The Smart Tab ez Refill System from First Aid Only & First Aid Exchange offers the unique benefit of giving you an easy way to reorder supplies at the right time.

Product may vary from image

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$3.89
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Antiseptic Cleansing Wipe, Sting Free - 100 per box


Antiseptic Cleansing Wipe, Sting Free - 100 per box

ITEM/SKU: J308

These antiseptic towelettes, with the active ingredient Benzalkonium Chloride, are ideal for cleansing wounds when alcohol is inadvisable. Their single-use design eliminates the worry of cross contamination. Measures 4-3/4"x7-3/4". Wipes are sterile unless package is opened or damaged. Contains: Benzalkonium Chloride 0.13%.

Retail Price:
$6.50
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$65.00
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-$2.91
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Alcohol Cleansing Pad - 100 per box


Antiseptic Cleansing Wipe, Sting Free - 100 per box

ITEM/SKU: H305

A first aid essential. Our single-use alcohol cleansing pads help prevent infection while treating a wound. Wipe measures 1-1/4"x2-5/8" and is saturated with 70% Isopropyl Alcohol. Sterile unless package is opened or damaged.

Retail Price:
$4.50
Case of 12 Retail Price:
$54.00
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Alcohol Cleansing Pad - 10 per box


Alcohol Cleansing Pad - 10 per box

ITEM/SKU: A340

A first aid essential. Our single-use alcohol cleansing pads help prevent infection while you treat a wound. Wipe measures 1-1/4"x2-5/8" and is saturated with 70% Isopropyl Alcohol. Sterile unless package is opened or damaged. 10 Per Box

Retail Price:
$1.66
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$16.60
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Isopropyl Alcohol : 70% : 16 oz. : 1 each


Isopropyl Alcohol : 70% : 16 oz. : 1 each

ITEM/SKU: M313

When fighting infection, we highly recommend Isopropyl. For external use only. Active ingredient: Isopropyl alcohol 70% by volume.

Retail Price:
$3.50
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$42.00
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Isopropyl Alcohol : 99% : 16 oz. : 1 each


Isopropyl Alcohol : 99% : 16 oz. : 1 each

ITEM/SKU: M314

When fighting infection, we highly recommend Isopropyl. For external use only. Active ingredient: Isopropyl alcohol 99% by volume.

Retail Price:
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$66.00
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Swine flu Q and A: What the CDC advises

Mercury News
Posted: 04/27/2009 01:02:51 PM PDT
Updated: 04/27/2009 01:12:05 PM PDT
The following Q&A was created from information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Q. What is swine flu?

A. Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. Until recently, the disease very rarely spread to humans. In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were reported in Mexico and then in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. Since then, 40 confirmed cases have been reported in the United States in California, Kansas, New York City, Ohio and Texas. An updated case count is available on the cdc Web site at www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm .

Q. Is this swine flu virus contagious?

A. CDC has determined that this swine flu virus is spreading from person to person, but it is unknown how easily it spreads.

Q. What are the symptoms of swine flu in people?

A. The symptoms of swine flu, which are similar to symptoms of regular flu, include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, pneumonia and respiratory failure and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause chronic medical conditions to worsen.

Q. How does swine flu spread?

A. This swine flu virus is thought to spread mainly by coughing or sneezing of people with the illness. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Infected people may be able to infect others one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu germs before you know you're sick as well as while you're not feeling well.

Q. What should I do to keep from getting the flu?

A. Most important for preventing the spread of flu is washing your hands. Also, try to stay in good general health. That means get plenty of sleep, be physically active, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods and manage your stress. Also, try to avoid contact with people who are sick.

Q. What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?

A. Wash with soap and water for 15 to 20 seconds If soap and water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner, rubbing your hands until the gel is dry. The alcohol kills the germs on your hands without water.

Q. How long can viruses live outside the body?

A. Some germs can live for two hours or longer on surfaces such as doorknobs, desks, cafeteria tables. Washing your hands frequently can reduce your chances of getting sick after touching these common surfaces.

Q. Are there medicines to treat swine flu?

A. Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine flu viruses. These antiviral drugs are prescription medicine that keep the flu viruses from reproducing in your body, thus helping you feel better quicker. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started within two days of symptoms first developing.

Q. Is there a vaccine available to prevent swine flu?

A. No. There is no available vaccine for this swine flu at this time.

Q. What should I do if I get sick?

A. If you live in an area where swine flu cases have been identified and become ill with symptoms including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact your doctor, who will determine whether you need to be tested or treated for the illness. While you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with people as much as possible.

Q. Can I get swine flu from eating or preparing pork?

A. No. You can not get swine flu from pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.


Click here for more Avian Influenza information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Recommendations for Avian Influenza include:

Use of a fit-tested respirator, at least as protective as a National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved N-95 filtering facepiece (i.e., disposable) respirator, when entering the room.

How are avian, pandemic, and seasonal flu different?
Avian flu is caused by avian influenza viruses, which occur naturally among birds.
Pandemic flu is flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness that spreads easily from person to person. Currently there is no pandemic flu.
Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.

What You Should Know

Specific Topics

Information for Specific Groups

Interim Recommendations for Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities Caring for Patients with Known or Suspected Avian Influenza

Note: CDC is revising its interim guidance for infection control precautions for avian influenza. The revised recommendations will be posted on this website as soon as they are finalized.

Objective

This document provides interim guidance for protection of health-care workers involved in the care of patients in the United States with known or suspected avian influenza. Depending upon where avian influenza is active in the world, such patients may be recently returning travelers entering U.S. health-care facilities or individuals who have had close contact with domestic poultry infected with avian influenza in the United States. For information regarding the clinical and epidemiologic criteria to be used in screening patients for possible avian influenza, see the “Update on Influenza A(H5N1) and SARS: Interim Recommendations for Enhanced U.S. Surveillance, Testing, and Infection Control” and “Interim Recommendations for Persons with Possible Exposure to Avian Influenza During Outbreaks Among Poultry in the United States .”

Background

Influenza viruses that infect primarily birds are called “avian influenza viruses.” These type A influenza viruses are genetically distinguishable from influenza viruses that usually infect people. There are many subtypes of avian influenza A viruses, including H7 and H5. Avian influenza viruses can be distinguished as “low pathogenic” and “highly pathogenic” forms based on genetic features of the virus and the severity of the illness they cause in poultry.

Avian influenza viruses do not usually infect humans; however, several instances of human infections and outbreaks of avian influenza have been reported since 1997 (for more information, see “ Basic Information About Avian Influenza” ). In 2003, influenza A (H7N7) infections occurred in the Netherlands among persons who handled infected poultry and among their families during an outbreak of avian flu among poultry. More than 80 cases of H7N7 illness were confirmed by testing (the symptoms were mostly confined to eye infections, with some respiratory symptoms), and one patient died (a veterinarian who had visited an H7N7 influenza-affected farm). Although there was evidence of limited person-to-person spread of infection, sustained human-to-human transmission did not occur in this or other outbreaks of avian influenza. It is believed that most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. However, other means of transmission are also possible, such as the virus becoming aerosolized and landing on exposed surfaces of the mouth, nose, or eyes, or being inhaled into the lungs.

Infection and disease in people caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 infection have been identified recently in Vietnam and Thailand. On February 1, 2004, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that laboratory test results had confirmed two fatal cases of human H5N1 infection in Vietnam in which human-to-human transmission may have occurred. The cases occurred in two sisters who were part of a cluster of four cases of severe respiratory illness in a single family. According to WHO, a detailed investigation of this cluster concluded that limited human-to-human transmission was one possible explanation, but direct poultry-to-human transmission could not be ruled out.

The following interim recommendations are based on what are deemed optimal precautions for protecting individuals involved in the care of patients with highly pathogenic avian influenza from illness and for reducing the risk of viral reassortment (i.e., mixing of genes from human and avian viruses). The ability of low pathogenic avian influenza viruses to cause infection and serious disease is less well established, but appears to be lower than that of highly pathogenic viruses based on available information. Nonetheless, it is considered prudent to take all possible precautions to the extent feasible when caring for patients with known or possible avian influenza.

Rationale for Enhanced Precautions

Human influenza is thought to transmit primarily via large respiratory droplets. Standard Precautions plus Droplet Precautions are recommended for the care of patients infected with human influenza. However, given the uncertainty about the exact modes by which avian influenza may first transmit between humans additional precautions for health-care workers involved in the care of patients with documented or suspected avian influenza may be prudent. The rationale for the use of additional precautions for avian influenza as compared with human influenza include the following:

  • The risk of serious disease and increased mortality from highly pathogenic avian influenza may be significantly higher than from infection by human influenza viruses.
  • Each human infection represents an important opportunity for avian influenza to further adapt to humans and gain the ability to transmit more easily among people.
  • Although rare, human-to-human transmission of avian influenza may be associated with the possible emergence of a pandemic strain.

Recommendations for Avian Influenza

All patients who present to a health-care setting with fever and respiratory symptoms should be managed according to recommendations for Respiratory Hygiene and Cough Etiquette and questioned regarding their recent travel history.

Patients with a history of travel within 10 days to a country with avian influenza activity and are hospitalized with a severe febrile respiratory illness, or are otherwise under evaluation for avian influenza, should be managed using isolation precautions identical to those recommended for patients with known Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). These include:

  • Standard Precautions
    • Pay careful attention to hand hygiene before and after all patient contact or contact with items potentially contaminated with respiratory secretions.
  • Contact Precautions
    • Use gloves and gown for all patient contact.
    • Use dedicated equipment such as stethoscopes, disposable blood pressure cuffs, disposable thermometers, etc.
  • Eye protection (i.e., goggles or face shields)
    • Wear when within 3 feet of the patient.
  • Airborne Precautions
    • Place the patient in an airborne isolation room (AIR). Such rooms should have monitored negative air pressure in relation to corridor, with 6 to 12 air changes per hour (ACH), and exhaust air directly outside or have recirculated air filtered by a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. If an AIR is unavailable, contact the health-care facility engineer to assist or use portable HEPA filters (see Environmental Infection Control Guidelines) to augment the number of ACH.
    • Use a fit-tested respirator, at least as protective as a National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved N-95 filtering facepiece (i.e., disposable) respirator, when entering the room. (See note about the information provided here.)

For additional information regarding these and other health-care isolation precautions, see the Guidelines for Isolation Precautions in Hospitals. These precautions should be continued for 14 days after onset of symptoms or until either an alternative diagnosis is established or diagnostic test results indicate that the patient is not infected with influenza A virus. Patients managed as outpatients or hospitalized patients discharged before 14 days with suspected avian influenza should be isolated in the home setting on the basis of principles outlined for the home isolation of SARS patients (see http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/guidance/i/pdf/i.pdf).

Vaccination of Health-Care Workers against Human Influenza

health-care workers involved in the care of patients with documented or suspected avian influenza should be vaccinated with the most recent seasonal human influenza vaccine. In addition to providing protection against the predominant circulating influenza strain, this measure is intended to reduce the likelihood of a health-care worker’s being co-infected with human and avian strains, where genetic rearrangement could take place, leading to the emergence of potential pandemic strain.

Surveillance and Monitoring of Health-Care Workers

  • Instruct health-care workers to be vigilant for the development of fever, respiratory symptoms, and/or conjunctivitis (i.e., eye infections) for 1 week after last exposure to avian influenza-infected patients.
  • Health-care workers who become ill should seek medical care and, prior to arrival, notify their health-care provider that they may have been exposed to avian influenza. In addition, employees should notify occupational health and infection control personnel at their facility.
  • With the exception of visiting a health-care provider, health-care workers who become ill should be advised to stay home until 24 hours after resolution of fever, unless an alternative diagnosis is established or diagnostic tests are negative for influenza A virus.
  • While at home, ill persons should practice good Respiratory Hygiene and Cough Etiquette to lower the risk of transmission of virus to others.

asteriskRespirators should be used in the context of a complete respiratory protection program as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This includes training, fit-testing, and fit-checking to ensure appropriate respirator selection and use. To be effective, respirators must provide a proper sealing surface on the wearer's face. Detailed information on a respiratory protection program is provided at this OSHA web page.

This CDC Page last modified May 21, 2004