Las Vegas NowOfficials Urge Vigilance with H1N1

Officials Urge Vigilance with H1N1

The H1N1 virus cannot be seen with the naked eye, but it's there and has many people being extra cautious.

"Mostly hand sanitizer I carry with me at all times. We're always using it always," said Jennifer Hammond.

"Most of the time people have been telling me you can catch it by someone sneezing on you, germs flying in the air, close quarters and travels," said Sherry Baskett.

Brian Labus is the senior epidemiologist at the Southern Nevada Health District. He says the virus spreads when someone sneezes or coughs in an open area. "It usually falls out of the air after three feet. It's what's called droplet spread -- they are large particles in the air. They don't travel on for miles or miles," he said.

Labus says the virus can spread further when an infected person does not wash their hands and touches objects other people come in contact with. He says the virus can only live for several hours on hard surfaces, but stresses the importance of washing your hands for the best protection.

"If you end up touching your eyes, your nose or mouth, that's how you're infected," he said.

For people who have flu-like symptoms, Labus says you should stay home until the contagious period has passed, which is anywhere from four to 10 days. For those who have underlying health conditions, you may need to be hospitalized.

For now, those who aren't in the priority groups to get vaccinated are doing their part to protect themselves and their families. "Other than hand sanitizer, not letting my kids touch things when we are out," said Hammond.

Of course, vaccination is the best line of defense since your body builds immunity to the virus. Right now the health district is only giving out flu mists for those who are considered in the high priority groups, like pregnant women, young children and their caregivers.