Definitions and Terminology
- Antibody
- A protein found in the blood that is produced in response to foreign substances (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites) invading the body. Antibodies protect the body from disease by binding to these organisms and destroying them.
- Antigen
- Foreign substances (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites) in the body that are capable of causing disease. The presence of antigens in the body triggers an immune response, usually the production of antibodies.
- CDC
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC is one of the major operating components of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). CDC serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and health education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States.
- Close Contact
- Close contacts are defined as people who are within 6 feet of someone who has flu-like symptoms or H1N1 flu.
Potential close contacts include:
- household and family contacts
- other persons who were known to be within about 6 feet of the ill person
- health care personnel
- ED
- Emergency Department, often known as an emergency room (ER)
- Facemasks
- Facemasks (also known as surgical, dental, medical procedure, or isolation masks) are protective coverings for the mouth and nose. Facemasks do not fit tightly around the user's face but can create a barrier that may stop someone who is sick from coughing or sneezing on others. They can also be worn by people who are well to prevent them from coming into contact with other people's coughs and sneezes.
Disposable facemasks are recommended. There are several facemask types—some have a single elastic band to hold them in place and others attach to the head with ties or have loops that the user puts around their ears. Most disposable facemasks have an adjustable piece that bends to fit the user's nose.
Facemasks should be thrown away when they visibly soiled or each time they are removed from the head. After removal and disposal, users should wash their hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Facemasks can be purchased at many pharmacies (drug stores), medical supply stores, hardware stores, home improvement centers, and on the internet.
- Hand Hygiene (Proper Hand Washing)
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- Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
- Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
- Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice).
- Rinse hands well under running water.
- Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet.
If soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (60% alcohol or greater). If alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not allowed in a particular setting (for example, a school) or unavailable, hand sanitizers that do not contain alcohol may also be useful for killing flu germs on hands.
When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:
- Apply product to the palm of one hand.
- Rub hands together.
- Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry.
To learn more, read the CDC's Clean Hands Saves Lives page or the World Health Organization's Clean Hands Protect Against Infection page.
- Immunity
- Protection against a disease. The presence of antibodies in the blood may indicate some degree of immunity.
- Incubation Period
- How long it takes from the time a person is exposed to a disease or toxin (poison) and the symptoms begin.
- LHD
- Local health department; usually the county health department
- NYCDOHMH
- The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene oversees health-related matters in the five boroughs of New York City. The boroughs are Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, and The Bronx.
- NYSDOH
- The New York State Department of Health provides health information and guidance for the citizens of New York State, health care providers, and researchers. NYSDOH oversees the State's vital records and health-related permits, licenses, and certifications. NYSDOH establishes, sets, and enforces health policy and regulations in the state.
- Prophylaxis
- A measure taken for the prevention of a disease or condition. A person may receive pre-exposure prophylaxis (prophylaxis given before a possible exposure) or post-exposure prophylaxis (after a potential exposure).
- Respiratory Hygiene and Cough Etiquette
- Steps to reduce the spread of respiratory infections:
- Carefully cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue every time you cough or sneeze. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the bend (crook) of your arm (inside your elbow) or into your shirt sleeve.
- Throw out used tissues immediately into a nearby trash receptacle.
- Immediately wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Social distancing means taking steps to decrease contact among people to decrease the risk of spreading communicable diseases. These measures include staying home when sick and school closures.
- WHO
- The World Health Organization. WHO is the health authority for the United Nations and provides leadership on global health matters.
