There is much talk about the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus also known as 'swine flu'. A very fast-spreading virus, it has caused the World Health Organisation to raise its alert level, as the virus spreads around the world.

Despite the pandemic potential of the virus, many persons do not take it seriously. Swine flu is one thing you would not want to give your loved one this Christmas.

Christmas is a romantic time of the year; however, do not throw caution to the wind if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms as you maybe passing on the virus to your partner and anyone else with whom you make contact. Seek medical attention and follow the prescriptions for containing the virus. Your partner should understand, and will appreciate your honesty. Plus, the debilitating effect of this deadly flu will not put you in the mood to be 'jolly'.

Air borne

The influenza virus spreads rapidly; that is why so much public education is centred on keeping the hands free of the virus. The virus is spread from one person to another, by 'droplets' in the same way other influenza viruses are spread. The infected droplets are expelled from the respiratory tract through a cough or a sneeze. The droplets travel short distances through the air and may be deposited on the mouth or in the nose of other persons or on surfaces.

It is easy for persons to contaminate their own hands by coughing, sneezing or blowing their nose. The virus can survive on the hands for at least an hour. During this time, if the person touches a doorknob, light switch, table, computer keyboard or any other surface it can easily become contaminated.

Contamination

The virus will survive on surfaces for several hours. So, if a person touches his mouth or nose after touching a contaminated surface, he could become infected.

Studies have shown that people touch their noses and mouth several times in an hour. Once the hands are contaminated, there are many opportunities to inadvertently pick up the virus.

Hand-washing protocol

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed a protocol for hand hygiene also known as hand washing or decontamination. This is to eliminate the respiratory viruses from hands, reducing the risk of developing influenza of one type or the other. Washing your hands with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, is highly effective in reducing the H1N1 virus on your hands.

1. Wash hands vigorously with soap and water for at least 15 seconds.

2. When running water is not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitisers. These are convenient and should be kept on your person at all times. The amount used should be about the size of a $10 coin or enough to keep the hands wet for 15 to 20 seconds, while rubbing the hands together.

The CDC further recommends

that persons:

Avoid touching their mouths, eyes and noses, and hands should be washed after blowing the nose or covering a cough with their hands.

Avoid close contact with persons who are sick, since droplet spread is the most common way.

Persons who become sick with the virus should stay at home and limit contact with others.

Kissing

During the festive celebrations, it is easy to be infected with the virus or to pass it on to others. If you are feeling sick, skip the party and the social circuit. As a form of greeting, it is better to say hello with a kiss to the cheek, than shaking hands. It has been proven that kissing is much more hygienic than a handshake. Hands carry millions of germs including the H1N1 virus, compared to the amount of bacteria in cheek to cheek kissing.

Debretts Etiquette Advisors (Reuters.com), has some useful dos and don'ts to prevent you contracting the deadly virus during the season.

Dos

1. Be considerate. If you are feeling ill, do not interact much in a social setting. Simply stand back and observe, but the best option is to stay home.

2. Be cautious with strangers taking care not to offer too many kisses.

3. Keep your distance. Do not get too close before or during the kiss and avoid invading the other person's space.

4. Cheek-to-cheek. Unless you know the person, a social kiss is a very brief touch of your cheek against the other person's. This reduces the risk of passing germs because of the limited contact. It is customary to kiss the other person's right cheek first.

5. Thank your friends for a good time and wish them all the best for the season.

Don'ts

1. Do not go to a party if you have the flu.

2. Be careful with kissing and giving handshakes.

3. Do not leave a saliva trace - remember kissing is cheek-to-cheek. Do not kiss on the lips, reserving this for intimate moments.

4. Do not kiss anyone if you or he/she has a mouthful of food or drink.

5. Keep away from mingling if you have had too much to drink. It is best to get someone to drive you home as your social skills will be impaired.

Pay keen attention to the swine flu and be extra careful that you do not pass on the virus if you contract it to your partner or others around you.