The following is common-sense advice from the Public Health Agency of
Canada regarding medical care for people with Influenza-Like Illnesses.
Public Health Agency of Canada
Home > Human Swine Influenza > How to look after someone at home with
H1N1 Flu Virus (Human swine Influenza)
How to look after someone at home with H1N1 Flu Virus (Human swine
Influenza)
Note: This guidance document is being provided by the Public Health
Agency of Canada in response to the recent outbreak of H1N1 Flu Virus
(human swine Influenza) in Canada. This guidance has been developed to
assist people in caring for someone at home who is recuperating from the
virus. This guidance is based on current available scientific evidence
about this emerging disease, and is subject to review and change as new
information becomes available.
Six Steps to Recovery
1. Protect yourself and others
If possible, have the sick person wear a simple surgical mask1 if you or
someone else is in the same room within 2 metres (6 feet) of him/her. If
the sick person cannot tolerate a mask, encourage the use of a tissue
when coughing or sneezing. If you are going to be within 2 metres (6
feet), you can wear a simple surgical mask and safety glasses2.
Clean your hands often, either soap and water or a hand sanitizer before
and after putting on or taking off a mask, after touching anything that
a sick person has touched (such as dishes, towels, clothes, and trash),
before you eat and before touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
2. Allow the ill person to rest away from others.
Anyone sick with H1N1 Flu Virus (Human Swine Influenza) is estimated to
be contagious for 7 days from the onset of the illness and should stay
at home. They should generally stay at least 2 metres (6 feet) away from
others, preferably in a well-ventilated room of their own. Ill people
need lots of rest; visitors should be few. Phone calls and a few
distractions, like a good book are helpful. Clean the phone or other
surface with a bleach-based cleaner after use by the ill person as the
virus can survive on a hard surface for up to 2 days.
3. Treat the fever and cough
"Coughs and sneezes spread diseases" as the spray has the virus in it.
The ill person should cover the cough with a tissue or his/her arm.
Tissues should be carefully placed in a waste basket and then the hands
cleaned with soap and water or a hand sanitizer. If needed, give a mild
cough suppressant, especially at night to help them sleep. It is not
recommended to give children under 6 years old cough suppressant. Fever
often comes with chills or aches and pains. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen
every 4-6 hours may help to bring down the fever and take away the
aches. Do not give aspirin to children with fever as it has been linked
to Reye's Syndrome, a potentially fatal disease associated with aspirin
consumption by children with viral diseases. A cool face cloth to the
face and neck or over the whole body can help the fever too. If
antiviral medications have been ordered, ensure they get it twice a day.
4. Give lots of fluids, nutritious food and ensure a smoke-free
environment with no one smoking in your home.
This all helps the body recover.
5. Keep the sick person's things separate from others and handle
anything he/she touches with care.
Each sick person should have his/her own towel, face cloth, toothbrush,
etc. that are kept away from those who are well. Wash dishes, dirty
laundry and towels with hot water and soap as soon as you take them out
of the room. Always clean your hands afterwards and avoid touching your
eyes. Line their garbage with a plastic bag, so you don't need to touch
the contents. Ideally, have a garbage bin with a foot pedal, so that you
do not need to touch the garbage to put something in it. You can
disinfect door knobs and light switches with a bleach-based cleaner or
by cleaning them with a mixture that is 1 part bleach and 10 parts
water. Clean the bathroom daily.
6. Be on alert for complications
Following these instructions, most people will begin to feel better
after a few days. However, be on the lookout. Sometimes complications,
such as asthma or pneumonia arise and the ill person may need to have a
health assessment.
Take his/her temperature daily. Here are some signs to look for:
Starts to feel better, then the fever returns Wheezing, shortness of
breath or difficulty breathing, coughing up blood Purple or bluish lip
color Chest pain Hard to wake up, unusually quiet or unresponsive,
strange thoughts or actions New onset of diarrhea, vomiting or abdominal
pain Signs of dehydrations such as dizziness when standing and low urine
production If any of these things occur, call a health care provider for
advice. If the ill person needs to seek medical care, they should wear a
surgical mask if available. This is especially important if the ill
person is using public transportation. Monitor yourself and other family
members for flu symptoms.
Tips on wearing a mask:
Tie the mask securely behind your head, and make sure the mask fully
covers your nose and mouth.
Replace the mask when it becomes wet or damp. A mask only works when it
is dry avoid touching your face while wearing the mask Do not let the
mask hang around your neck.Discard after use Remove the mask by only
touching the straps and place the used mask directly in the garbage.
Wash your hands immediately.
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1 Surgical masks are quite inexpensive and can be purchased at your
local pharmacy. If you do not have a mask, other options such as
covering your nose and mouth with a bandana, could also provide
protection (launder after use). Respirators (such as N95 masks) will not
provide any more protection than surgical masks unless they are properly
fit-tested.
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