Flu Gloves
Swine flu gloves (surgical gloves) are designed to help you avoid contact with harmful microorganisms. If a swine flu pandemic occurs, you should wear these disposable gloves whenever you care for people who are infected with the bird flu virus, and whenever you must use machines or equipment that may have been touched by people infected with the virus.
Why wear swine flu gloves:
Swine flu gloves are disposable gloves that will help protect you and your family from the bird flu virus in three ways:
1. Wearing flu gloves protects you from direct contact with any contaminated surfaces/equipment (ATM machines, door handles, steering wheels, etc) or body fluids when caring for a bird flu patient;
2. Flu gloves reduce the chances of spreading the bird flu virus to others, since they are discarded after use (make sure to have a special container for disposal of contaminated gloves and masks); and
3. Disposable flu gloves, when worn by the care giver, will protect the sick person from any microorganisms that may be present on the carer giver’s hands (these must be discarded when leaving the sickroom).
Suppliers of Swine Flu Gloves
You can buy surgical gloves from pharmacies, medical suppliers and many sources on the Internet. Many supermarkets also stock boxes of disposable gloves (50 per box). During a pandemic, supplies of swine flu gloves may run low, so consider keeping a supply of them on hand.
Precautions when wearing Swine Flu Gloves
Wearing swine flu gloves is not a substitute for washing your hands. You must wash your hands thoroughly before and after wearing gloves.
Disposable swine flu gloves should be removed when the task is finished, by peeling the glove off from the wrist downward, so that the contaminated area is contained within the inside-out glove.
Immediately discard the contaminated gloves into a special container for contaminated materials or into a plastic bag. Tie the top of the plastic bag and discard.
Swine flu gloves should be changed when torn or punctured. Disposable flu gloves should not be washed or disinfected. Utility gloves can be washed in detergent after use, stored dry, and reused. Blue vinyl flu gloves, if available, should be worn when handling and preparing food.