The flu is a very contagious infection of the respiratory tract.
It can cause a high fever, cough, muscle aches and intense fatigue, and prevent you from going about your daily activities for a few days.
People at risk for complications must promptly seek medical attention
During the annual flu season, some groups of people are at higher risk for complications because of their age or state of heath. These groups include:
• Pregnant women;
• Adults and children with underlying chronic conditions serious enough to warrant regular medical management or hospital care;
• Very young children (under 2 years of age);
• People age 65 or older.
As soon as flu symptoms appear, these people must
see a physician in order to receive early antiviral treatment within 48 hours.
The seasonal flu vaccine does not specifically protect
against influenza A(H1N1). A vaccine against the new
influenza A(H1N1) virus is now being produced
and it will be offered to the public. At that time,
instructions from the public health authorities
concerning the vaccination would be disseminated
through the newspapers, radio, television and the
Internet (www.pandemiequebec.gouv.qc.ca).
How the virus spreads
Influenza virus spreads very easily through droplets from the nose and mouth of an infected person. You can catch the flu if you come in contact with a contaminated surface or an infected person and you then touch your nose, mouth or eyes. Symptoms develop one to seven days after infection. A person who has the virus is contagious for 24 hours before and up to 7 days
after the onset of symptoms. Contagion is, however, greater on the first 3 to 4 days after symptoms begin.
The flu virus thrives in cool, dry environments. The virus sometimes spreads when there is contact, such as among people living in the same household, when taking care of someone who is sick, or being in places where people are in contact, for instance, on public transport, at entertainment or sports facilities, or at other public gatherings.
Extracted from Quebec Government website. Published October 15, 2009
It can cause a high fever, cough, muscle aches and intense fatigue, and prevent you from going about your daily activities for a few days.
People at risk for complications must promptly seek medical attention
During the annual flu season, some groups of people are at higher risk for complications because of their age or state of heath. These groups include:
• Pregnant women;
• Adults and children with underlying chronic conditions serious enough to warrant regular medical management or hospital care;
• Very young children (under 2 years of age);
• People age 65 or older.
As soon as flu symptoms appear, these people must
see a physician in order to receive early antiviral treatment within 48 hours.
The seasonal flu vaccine does not specifically protect
against influenza A(H1N1). A vaccine against the new
influenza A(H1N1) virus is now being produced
and it will be offered to the public. At that time,
instructions from the public health authorities
concerning the vaccination would be disseminated
through the newspapers, radio, television and the
Internet (www.pandemiequebec.gouv.qc.ca).
How the virus spreads
Influenza virus spreads very easily through droplets from the nose and mouth of an infected person. You can catch the flu if you come in contact with a contaminated surface or an infected person and you then touch your nose, mouth or eyes. Symptoms develop one to seven days after infection. A person who has the virus is contagious for 24 hours before and up to 7 days
after the onset of symptoms. Contagion is, however, greater on the first 3 to 4 days after symptoms begin.
The flu virus thrives in cool, dry environments. The virus sometimes spreads when there is contact, such as among people living in the same household, when taking care of someone who is sick, or being in places where people are in contact, for instance, on public transport, at entertainment or sports facilities, or at other public gatherings.
Extracted from Quebec Government website. Published October 15, 2009
© 2001 Copyright to Tony Rausseo October 2009. Salsa Dancing flu season, H1N1 virus, Swine flu | The flu an infection to be taken seriously specially while dancing.
Salsa clubs vulnerable places.
Salsa clubs vulnerable places.
- Tony Rausseo -
As a Latin Dance Fitness Instructor, Choreographer and performer, I am in contact with hundreds of people daily. My dance activities include private as well as group-fitness instruction, Salsa classes and dancing socially in Salsa clubs. Like many of you Salseros and Salseras out there, I am regularly in close contact with a great number of people in a closed environment.
After reading the Ministry of Health’s (MSSS du Québec) Flu Self-Guide, I realized how serious this virus is. Consequently, I decided to warn all of you, especially my students and colleagues, not only of the danger of this flu pandemic but also the Swine flu. In spite of the enormous amount of information that is available, particularly in the media such as TV, radio, newspapers and internet, we tend to disregard the warnings brought about during flu season.
As common knowledge would tell us, Latin dancing involves varying degrees of physical contact, often quite close, where we are most likely to be exposed to any type of germ. Merengue, Bachata and Salsa dances are the likeliest of all to place us in such close contact.
Salsa clubs are those places where dancers gather to share their passion and love for Latin dance and beautiful music. Due to the friendly and lively atmosphere, we may tend to forget that we are at risk of becoming infected with the H1N1 virus. Despite warnings from our health experts to the contrary, we may continue practicing our customary exchange of hugs and kisses when greeting our dancer partners.
I believe that once we hit the dance floor, the Latin music takes hold of us and our thoughts turn to our desire to move to the rhythms. It is important however, to remain vigilant and aware to the seriousness of our exposure to this virus and the potential to become infected.
So if you are getting less of those friendly handshakes, nice tight hugs or warm kisses these days, you will understand - won’t you?
What you need to know to protect your health and others can be found in the Quebec Government’s pandemic website.
As well, here are some of my own recommendations to bear in mind when at a dance club or public event:
1. Wash your hands after dancing or changing partners. It is a good idea to keep a liquid hand sanitizer on you. Pour some into the palms of your hand and rub all over the surface to disinfect them - quite practical!
Although plain water and soap will do, they are not always readily available or at our immediate disposal (especially when you are waiting for the dancer of your dreams to invite you - you are not likely to say ‘Wait! I am going to wash my hands first!) …
2. At the club or a public event, do not lend or share your handkerchief, bandana or facecloth to anyone! Although you may want to be gallant or wish to help someone - do not do it!
3. Even though wearing a mask might seem extreme, it is something worth considering. You might even see me wearing one at a Halloween Party - I’ will be killing two birds with one stone - LOL!
4. Practice general personal hygiene on the dance floor. For example, turn away to cough into the small of your elbow. Wash your hands regularly and always be considerate of those around you to avoid spreading germs. By doing so, you will also be protecting yourself at the same time!
Dance safely and joyfully!
Cheers,
Tony Rausseo
As a Latin Dance Fitness Instructor, Choreographer and performer, I am in contact with hundreds of people daily. My dance activities include private as well as group-fitness instruction, Salsa classes and dancing socially in Salsa clubs. Like many of you Salseros and Salseras out there, I am regularly in close contact with a great number of people in a closed environment.
After reading the Ministry of Health’s (MSSS du Québec) Flu Self-Guide, I realized how serious this virus is. Consequently, I decided to warn all of you, especially my students and colleagues, not only of the danger of this flu pandemic but also the Swine flu. In spite of the enormous amount of information that is available, particularly in the media such as TV, radio, newspapers and internet, we tend to disregard the warnings brought about during flu season.
As common knowledge would tell us, Latin dancing involves varying degrees of physical contact, often quite close, where we are most likely to be exposed to any type of germ. Merengue, Bachata and Salsa dances are the likeliest of all to place us in such close contact.
Salsa clubs are those places where dancers gather to share their passion and love for Latin dance and beautiful music. Due to the friendly and lively atmosphere, we may tend to forget that we are at risk of becoming infected with the H1N1 virus. Despite warnings from our health experts to the contrary, we may continue practicing our customary exchange of hugs and kisses when greeting our dancer partners.
I believe that once we hit the dance floor, the Latin music takes hold of us and our thoughts turn to our desire to move to the rhythms. It is important however, to remain vigilant and aware to the seriousness of our exposure to this virus and the potential to become infected.
So if you are getting less of those friendly handshakes, nice tight hugs or warm kisses these days, you will understand - won’t you?
What you need to know to protect your health and others can be found in the Quebec Government’s pandemic website.
As well, here are some of my own recommendations to bear in mind when at a dance club or public event:
1. Wash your hands after dancing or changing partners. It is a good idea to keep a liquid hand sanitizer on you. Pour some into the palms of your hand and rub all over the surface to disinfect them - quite practical!
Although plain water and soap will do, they are not always readily available or at our immediate disposal (especially when you are waiting for the dancer of your dreams to invite you - you are not likely to say ‘Wait! I am going to wash my hands first!) …
2. At the club or a public event, do not lend or share your handkerchief, bandana or facecloth to anyone! Although you may want to be gallant or wish to help someone - do not do it!
3. Even though wearing a mask might seem extreme, it is something worth considering. You might even see me wearing one at a Halloween Party - I’ will be killing two birds with one stone - LOL!
4. Practice general personal hygiene on the dance floor. For example, turn away to cough into the small of your elbow. Wash your hands regularly and always be considerate of those around you to avoid spreading germs. By doing so, you will also be protecting yourself at the same time!
Dance safely and joyfully!
Cheers,
Tony Rausseo
You could learn to dance at the comfort your own home fast and easy. Download a Salsa video and begin getting in shape and learning a new activity.
Instructional-course-salsa-dvd is the perfect solution to stay away from crowded places while taking lessons.
Instructional-course-salsa-dvd is the perfect solution to stay away from crowded places while taking lessons.
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