Guidance for Taking Care of a Sick Person

Symptoms of influenza-like illness include fever or chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting. Fever of 100°F [37.8°C] or greater.

In order to ensure service provision needs are met, if you, or a person you provide services to, exhibits flu like symptoms please immediately call 319-338-9212 ext 333 to report symptoms. This extension will be used to track the spread of flu symptoms only. It is important to remember that in addition to calling this extension, you will also need to follow established call in procedure if you are not able to report to work.

• People with 2009 H1N1 flu, or who are experiencing flu like symptoms who are cared for at home should:
• Keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep from making others sick. Do not go to work or school while ill.
• Stay home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone, except to seek medical care or for other necessities. (Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
• Get plenty of rest and drink clear fluids (such as water, broth or sports drinks) to keep from being dehydrated
• Cover coughs and sneezes. Wash hands often with soap and water.  If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Wear a facemask – if available and tolerable – when sharing common spaces with other household members to help prevent spreading the virus to others. This is especially important if other household members are at high risk for complications from influenza. 
• Be watchful for emergency warning signs (see below) that might indicate you need to seek medical attention.

Seek medical care right away if the sick person at home:

• has difficulty breathing or chest pain
• has purple or blue discoloration of the lips
• is vomiting and unable to keep liquids down
• has signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, absence of urination, or in infants, a lack of tears when they cry
• has seizures (for example, uncontrolled convulsions)
• is less responsive than normal or becomes confused

Placement of the sick person

• Keep the sick person in a room separate from the common areas of the house. (For example, a spare bedroom with its own bathroom, if that’s possible.) Keep the sickroom door closed.
• If persons with the flu need to leave the home (for example, for medical care), they should wear a facemask, if available and tolerable, and cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
• Have the sick person wear a facemask – if available and tolerable – if they need to be in a common area of the house near other persons.
• If possible, sick persons should use a separate bathroom. This bathroom should be cleaned daily with household disinfectant.

Protect other persons in the home

• The sick person should not have visitors other than caregivers. A phone call is safer than a visit.
• Avoid having pregnant women care for the sick person. (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 frequently, including after every contact with the sick person or the person’s room or bathroom.
• Use paper towels for drying hands after hand washing or dedicate cloth towels to each person in the household. For example, have different colored towels for each person.
• If soap and water are not available, persons should use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• If possible, consideration should be given to maintaining good ventilation in shared household areas (e.g., keeping windows open in restrooms, kitchen, bathroom, etc.).
• Antiviral medications can be used to prevent the flu, so check with your health care provider to see if some persons in the home should use antiviral medications.

Household Cleaning, Laundry, and Waste Disposal

• Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by the sick person in the trash. Wash your hands after touching used tissues and similar waste.
• Keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, and toys) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
• Replace furnace filters.
• Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.
• Wash linens (such as bed sheets and towels) by using household laundry soap and tumble dry on a hot setting. Avoid “hugging” laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating yourself. Clean your hands with soap and water right after handling dirty laundry. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap.