CAREGIVER INSTRUCTION SHEET H1N1 & ILI (INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS)

-Have one person in household /dorm designated a primary caregiver. Caregiver must not be at HIGH RISK* for complications from the flu.

-If you are at high risk for complications from the flu, you should stay at least 6 feet away from the sick person. Ask your health care provider if household contacts need to be treated with antiviral medication such as Tamiflu or Relenza.

-Provide the sick person with his or her own room, if at all possible. Keep the sick person away from others, if at all possible. Discourage visitors. Avoid face-to-face contact.

-Wash hands before and after contact with the sick person. You can also use alcohol based rub. This cannot be over emphasized!

-Have the sick person wear a facemask (if available) when caregiver is in sick-person’s room, or if sick person needs to be in a common area of the home or to get medical care. Use a bandana if a mask is not available. Facemasks are available at many pharmacies.

-Primary caregiver should wear a mask when providing care, such as assisting with bathing, dressing, eating, etc. After you take off the facemask, wash your hands.

- Sick person should be provided with his or her bathroom if possible. Clean daily with disinfectant. If private bathroom is not available, clean with disinfectant after each use.

-Remind sick person to cover his or her cough. Keep alcohol based rub at bedside.

-Do not touch soiled tissues with bare hands. Have sick person dispose of these in paper or plastic bags. Wear gloves when disposing of trash and wash hands immediately.

-Keep household surfaces clean (esp. bedside tables and bathrooms). Bleach can be used by mixing ¼ cup bleach with one gallon of water.

-Disposable dishes and utensils work best. If not available, soiled dishes should be washed in dishwasher or with hot soapy water. They do not have to be separated.

-Wash linens (bed sheets and towels) by using household laundry soap and tumble dry on hot setting.  Avoid “hugging” laundry prior to washing.  Wash hands after handling dirty laundry.  Linens do not need to be separated from other household laundry.

-Offer plenty of fluids to keep the sick person well hydrated.  Water, broth, sports drinks, popsicles and Jello work well.

-Keep fever down with acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen.  DO NOT give Aspirin products!

-Monitor all members of the household for flu symptoms (eg., fever, cough, headache, sore throat, muscle aches, vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Caregiver Instruction Sheet for H1n1 & ILI (Influenza-like illness) page 2

 

IN ADULTS, SOME OF THE DANGER SIGNS or emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

·         Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath,

·         Pain or pressure in the chest,

·         Purple or blue discoloration of lips,

·         Severe or persistent vomiting/unable to keep fluids down,

·         Signs of dehydration (dizziness, and/or decrease of urine output),

·         Convulsions,

·         Confusion,

·         Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Go to emergency room if any of these conditions occur!

IN CHILDREN, SOME OF THE DANGER SIGNS OR EMERGENCY WARNING SIGNS THAT NEED URGENT MEDICAL ATTENTION INCLUDE:

·         Fast breathing or trouble breathing

·         Bluish or gray skin color

·         Not drinking enough fluids or urinating in a normal fashion

·         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

Go to emergency room if any of these conditions occur!

 

*HIGH RISK for complications include:

·         People with chronic health conditions such as: lung disease, heart disease (except high blood pressure), kidney disease, liver disease, blood disorders, neurological or neuromuscular disorders, metabolic disorders including diabetes.

·         Children < 5 years of age (highest risk < 2 years of age)

·         Adults >65 years of age

·         Children < 18 years of age taking chronic aspirin therapy

·         Pregnant women

For a list of Minor Medical Facilities and Specialty Clinics located off campus and available after hours, visit this site: http://saweb.memphis.edu/health/Health_Services/resources.htm. If you have a question concerning the services offered at any of the facilities listed below please call the facility directly.

 

For more info please go to www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm or www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/