Prevent Swine Flu

If you find yourself in the position of having to take care of a family or household member who is sick with the flu there are steps to take to protect yourself and others who are not sick.  This first step is you should keep the sick person away from other people as much as possible especially others who are at high risk for complications from influenza like illnesses.  This includes making people who are sick with any influenza like illness stay home and keep away from others as much as possible. They should avoid traveling for at least 24 hours after fever has abated.

Remind the flu sufferer to cover their coughs, and clean their hands with soap and water often.  If soap and water are not available, they should use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after coughing and/or sneezing.  You should have everyone in the household clean their hands often, using soap and water or hand sanitizer. Children may need repeated reminders or even help keeping their hands clean.

It is a good idea to ask your health care provider if household contacts of the sick person, should take antiviral medications such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (Relenza®) to prevent getting the flu themselves. This is especially important for those who may be pregnant or have chronic health conditions Persons with the flu should use a separate bathroom. This bathroom should be cleaned on a daily basis with a disinfectant of somekind.

Anyone who falls into a high risk group for complications from influenza should attempt to avoid close contact with household members who are sick with influenza. If close contact with a sick individual cannot be avoided consider wearing a facemask.  Infants should never be cared for by family members or persons with the flu.

Keep in mind that the sick person should not have visitors other than the person caring for them. A phone call is much better than a visit.  If possible, have only one adult in the home take care of the sick person. It is not people at increased risk of severe illness from flu should not be the designated caretaker. Having pregnant women care for the sick person should be avoided because pregnant women are at increased risk of influenza-related complications and immunity can be suppressed during pregnancy.

All persons in the household should clean their hands with soap and water often.  This includes after every contact with the sick person or the person’s room or bathroom where you may pick up germs. Use paper towels for drying hands after hand washing.  Another option is to set aside cloth towels to each person in the household. Using different colored towels for each person makes this easier to keep track of.

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