Tips on How to Stop the Spread of H1N1 Swine Flu
Learn to Reduce the Risk of Spreading Swine Flu at Home to Family
Nov 5, 2009
After the diagnosis of H1N1 of a family member or friend, there are some guidelines that should be followed when caring for someone who is suffering from swine flu to minimize the risk of spreading the virus.
According to the Center for Disease Control, the main way that any flu, including swine flu, spreads is from person to person when droplets from a cough or sneeze are propelled through the air and deposited in the mouth or nose.
Tips to Lessen the Spread of the Swine Flu at Home
Here are some tips that will help reduce the risk of spreading the swine flu to others in the home or close proximity when caring for a sick person.
- Keep the sick person away from other people.
- Encourage the sick person to cover their coughs and immediately wash their hands with soap and water after coughing or sneezing.
- Encourage others in the environment to wash their hands frequently.
- Contact a health care provider to determine if other household members who have come in contact with the sick person, and are pregnant or have other health conditions, should begin taking antiviral medication.
- Pregnant women, babies, or other groups at high risk for complications from the flu should stay at least six feet away from the infected persons. Consider using a face mask as well
- Consistently wash and disinfect towels, linens, tables and any other object or clothing that is around the person suffering from swine flu.
For additional tips and suggestions, contact the office of a health care provider.
Where to Place the Person Suffering from H1N1 While They Have the Flu
There are some steps one should follow on the placement of the sick person to lessen the risk of spreading the flu to others.
- Keep the sick person in a separate room that is away from all common areas. An ideal situation is a spare bedroom that has its own bathroom. Keep the door closed at all times.
- Encourage the sick person to remain in that area for at least 24 hours after the fever associated with swine flu has broken.
- Encourage the sick individual to cancel all travel arrangements for at least 24 hours after the swine flu fever has broken.
- If the sick person must leave the home, encourage them to wear a face mask so that the flu is not spread to others.
For additional tips on how to stop the spread of swine flu while caring for others, contact the family doctor.
Source
The United States Center for Disease Control
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