ThunderBayFlu.ca -If You or A Loved One Gets the Flu

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If possible, have the sick person wear a simple surgical mask if you or someone else is in the same room an will be within 2 metres (6 feet) of him or her.
If the sick person cannot use a mask or does not want to, suggest they use 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 glasses.
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.

Anyone sick with H1N1 flu virus may be contagious for 7 days from the time they start getting ill and they should stay at home so they don't spread the virus to others.
They should stay at least 2 metres (6 feet) away from others, and, if possible, in a well-ventilated room of their own.
Ill people need lots of rest so there should be few visitors.
Phone calls and a few distractions, like a good book are helpful.
Clean the phone, light switch, table top or other surfaces used by the ill person with a bleach-based cleaner as the virus can live on a hard surface for up to 2 days.

Coughs and sneezes spread diseases because the spray has the virus in it the ill person should cover the cough with his or her arm or a tissue.
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 (something to help stop the cough), 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 to 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 connected to children with a viral disease taking aspirin.
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, make sure they take them twice a day.

Each sick person should have his or her own towel, face cloth, toothbrush, etc. and these things should be 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.

If following the information above, most people will begin to feel better after a few days. However, be on the lookout. Sometimes the flu may lead to other illnesses such as asthma or pneumonia and the ill person may need to have a health assessment. Take his or her temperature daily. Here are some signs to look for that may indicate there is illness:
- They start to feel better, then the fever returns
- They are wheezing, having shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, coughing up blood
- They have purple or bluish lip color
- They have chest pain
- They are hard to wake up, are unusually quiet or are not responding to people
- They have strange thoughts or actions
- There is new onset of diarrhea, vomiting or abdominal pain
- There are signs of dehydration 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 medical care, they should wear a surgical mask if one is available. This is especially important if the ill person is using public transportation.
Monitor yourself and other family members for flu symptoms.

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, then wash your hands immediately