Home Care for Pandemic Flu

What is Pandemic Flu?

A "pandemic" is a disease that spreads all over the world and affects a large number of people. If you are caring for a loved one during a pandemic, it's important to take steps to protect yourself and others. Always follow the most current advice of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and your local health department.

Prevent the Spread of Pandemic Flu

These healthy habits will help keep you and others from getting and passing on the virus.

Clean your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and clean your hands afterward.
Put used tissues in a wastebasket.
Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve if you don't have a tissue.
Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth to prevent germs from entering your body.

Also, a person with signs of the flu should:

Stay home from work, school and errands and avoid contact with others.
Consider wearing a surgical mask when around others. There may be benefits.

For more information, contact your local American Red Cross chapter, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

When a Household Member Is Sick

The flu virus is spread when contaminated droplets exit the mouth and nose of an infected person and the virus comes in contact with others. So, follow these tips to protect yourself and others in your home:

Keep everyone's personal items separate
All household members should avoid sharing computers, pens, papers, clothes, towels, sheets, blankets, food or eating utensils.
Disinfect door knobs, switches, handles, toys and other surfaces that are commonly touched around the home or workplace. Disinfectant can be made from common household materials by adding 1/4 cup of bleach to one gallon of water. Make a fresh batch every time you use it.
It is okay to wash everyone's dishes and clothes together. Use detergent and very hot water. Wash your hands after handling dirty laundry.
Wear disposable gloves when in contact with or cleaning up body fluids.
One person should be the caregiver. He or she may benefit by wearing a mask when giving care.

Prepare for a flu Pandemic

Store a two-week supply of food. Select foods that do not require refrigeration, preparation or cooking. Ensure that formula for infants and any child's or older person's special nutritional needs are a part of your planning. Plan for your pets as well.
Store a two-week supply of water, one gallon of water per person per day, in clean plastic containers. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles.
Ask your health care provider and health insurance company if you can get an extra supply of your regular prescription drugs and medical supplies, such as glucose monitoring supplies.
Store a supply of nonprescription drugs, such as pain relievers, cough and cold medicines, stomach remedies and anti-diarrheal medication, as well as vitamins and fluids with electrolytes (such as sports drinks).
Store health and cleaning supplies, such as bleach, tissues, a thermometer, disposable gloves, soap and alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick.
Find out your employer's plans to keep the business functioning if key staff can't come to work.
Find out now about the plans at your child's school or the day-care provider's for handling a flu pandemic.
Ask if there are plans to encourage sick children to stay home to reduce the spread of the disease.
Ask if there are plans to close during a pandemic in the community, which would require all the children to remain at home.

Finding out the answers ahead of time will have a significant impact on your plans and decisions during a flu pandemic.

PANDEMIC FLU INFORMATION SOURCES

American Red Cross
www.redcross.org

American Red Cross, Adams County Chapter
adamsredcross@embarqmail.com
1-260-724-9106

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
www.pandemicflu.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov
1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)
1-888-232-6348 (TTY)
cdcinfo@cdc.gov

World Health Organization
www.who.org
In the United States: 1-202-974-3458
www.paho.org