Caring for a Sick Person
The symptoms of seasonal flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. People with flu can infect others
starting as early as one day before they develop of symptoms and lasting until 24 hours
after symptoms go away. Young children might be contagious for longer periods of time.
In order to properly care for a sick person, the advice of a healthcare professional
should be obtained, especially if there are special circumstances such as pregnancy,
chronic illness, or any other health conditions.
General advice for those with the flu includes: drink plenty of fluids, rest as much
as possible, and take prescription medication as directed by a healthcare professional.
DO NOT give aspirin to children or teenagers who have the flu.
Keep a care log for sick individuals. This log should include such items as temperatures,
skin color, amount of fluids consumed, number of trips to the restroom, and the type and
dose of any medications being taken.
Remind sick people to wash their hands frequently, especially after using the restroom,
coughing, or sneezing. If possible, those with the flu should use a separate restroom
which should be cleaned and disinfected daily. Keeping sick individuals separate from
others will help minimize the spread of the flu virus. Be sure to maintain good
ventilation in the home especially in the rooms with sick individuals.
Remember to do what you can to minimize your risk of getting the flu while you are
treating others. See prevention and treatment
for more information on how to prevent the spread of the virus to others within the home.
Seek emergency medical care, if the person shows the following warning signs.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- High fever
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- High fever
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Wash hands often | Cover coughs and sneezes | Stay home when sick
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