I have reviewed the CDC, World Health Organization (WHO) and Texas Department of Health (TDH) recommendations. Of course, they are all different. However, based on their recommendations and with an abundance of caution given the lack of knowledge about this virus, I would recommend the following:
1. Avoid all non-essential travel by commercial air. Air in commercial airliners is partially recirculated and disease transmission between passengers is a known risk.
2. Do not travel to Mexico for any reason until further notice. Though not yet definite, there is some discussion of closing the border with Mexico. (Though this is not an effective strategy, politicians often appear to not be constrained by logic or evidence.)
3. Avoid crowds when possible. For example, shopping should be done at non-peak hours when stores are less crowded. I would not recommend large gatherings such as movie theaters, etc. in areas where cases have been confirmed or suspected.
4. Very frequent hand washing with soap and hot water or the use of alcohol-based antibacterial hand gel sanitizer.
5. Any individual with fever (> 100° F) and cough and/or sore throat should be isolated and should be tested for influenza. We have obtained sufficient rapid flu tests to perform testing on each patient in our practice and will order additional tests as needed to maintain this capability.
6. Any individual with confirmed or suspected influenza should follow additional precautions:
a. Separation from others in single room if available until asymptomatic;
b. If the ill person needs to move to another part of the house, he/she should wear a mask;
d. Cover the nose/mouth when coughing or sneezing;
e. Use tissues to contain respiratory secretions and dispose of them in the nearest waste receptacle after use;
f. Perform hand hygiene (e.g., hand washing with non-antimicrobial soap and water, alcohol-based hand rub, or antiseptic hand wash) after having contact with respiratory secretions and contaminated objects/materials.
Comments / Posted by Scott W. Yates, MD, MBA, MS, FACP
