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Understanding Swine Flu: 10 Resources for Paramedics and EMTS

The spread of swine influenza reports are dominating this morning’s news. The resources available for EMS to understand Swine Influenza development, transmission, treatment, and prevention are growing rapidly.A lot of just-in-time training is happening through emails, bulletins, intranet and blog posts. EverydayEMSTips has compiled a list of resources, information, and websites that will be helpful to EMTs and Paramedics to understand swine influenza.

In this post you will find:

  1. Everyday Prevention Tips from the CDC
  2. Flu resources from National National EMS Management Association
  3. Guidance Updates from the International Association of EMS Chiefs (IAEMSC)
  4. World Health Organization (WHO) Swine Influenza website
  5. Pandemic Response for Rural EMS training program slides
  6. EMT Response to Swine Flu from EMT Spot Blog
  7. Influenza Facts discussion from Henry County EMS website
  8. 5 Things every EMT needs to know about swine flu
  9. Associated Press Swine flu timeline
  10. Google map of known and suspected swine flu cases


Everyday Prevention Tips from the CDC

  1. Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
  2. Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
  3. Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
  4. Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
  5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
  6. Practice other good health habits.


National EMS Management Association Resources
On the NEMSA Flu Resources page you will find:

  1. Planning guide
  2. Training resources
  3. Screening forms
  4. Management tips
  5. Pandemic influenza guidelines

Pandemic planning and response guidelines and information from the International Association of EMS Chief.

World Health Organization swine influenza website

Slide Share Presentation: Pandemic Response for Rural EMS by paramedic Nick Nudell. Presentation was prepared in 2006 for EMS training in Connecticut.

Pandemic Response For Rural EMS

View more presentations from Nick Nudell.

Read outstanding blog post from paramedic Steve Whitehead at his blog, the EMT spot, about Swine Flu.

Blog post from Henry County EMS about influenza facts. Written by paramedic Buck Feris.

5 Things Every EMT Needs to Know about Swine Flu, an article by Jamie Davis of the MedicCast. Get the MedicCast Extra Here!

Associated Press Swine Flu timeline

View H1N1 Swine Flu in a larger map

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By Greg Friese

Greg Friese, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, is an author, educator, paramedic, and marathon runner.

Greg was the co-host of the award winning EMSEduCast podcast, the only podcast by and for EMS educators. Greg has written for EMS1.com, JEMS.com, Wilderness Medical Associates, JEMS Magazine, EMSWorld.com and EMS World Magazine, and the NAEMSE Educator Newsletter.