What to do
when you have swine flu
when you have swine flu
– Courtesy of Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell
If a health care provider has determined that you or a loved one has swine flu, safe home care can
speed up the recovery. Swine flu is different from a seasonal flu, although some symptoms are
similar, including fever, cough, sore throat, chills and fatigue. Severity can vary from mild to
severe.
Feel better faster
People with swine flu who are cared for at home should:
- Stay home for seven days after the start of the illness and until the fever is gone
- Get plenty of rest in a room separate from the common areas of the house
- Drink clear liquids, such as water, broth and sports drinks
- Take antiviral drugs if prescribed by a health care provider, or ask your pharmacist or health care provider about over-the-counter medications to treat other flu symptoms
Prevent the flu from spreading
The flu is spread from person to person and, occasionally, by touching something with the virus on its surface.
- Make sure everyone in the household cleans their hands often
- Check with your health care provider to see if the caregiver or other household members should take antivirals to prevent the flu
- Use paper towels for drying hands after washing, or dedicate a different cloth towel to the infected person
- Clean surfaces with a household disinfectant
- Throw away tissues and other used disposable items in the trash, and thoroughly wash hands after touching them
- Linens, eating utensils and dishes belonging to the sick person don’t need to be cleaned separately, but never share them without washing first
- Eating utensils should be washed in a dishwasher or by hand with soap and hot water
- Wash bed sheets and towels by using regular laundry soap and tumble dry on a hot setting. Clean your hands right after handling dirty laundry
- Limit the number of visitors and avoid face-to-face contact
- The sick person should wear a loose-fitting surgical mask if in contact with others,
found at pharmacies or hardware stores. Caregivers should always wear a mask to prevent
getting and spreading the illness
- An N95 respirator fits snugly over your face and filters out small particles that can be inhaled around the edges of a facemask
- Most N95 respirators available at local hardware stores or pharmacies have been certified by the federal government to filter the air you breathe
- Wear an N95 respirator if the sick person uses an inhaler or nebulizer
- Used disposable facemasks and N95 respirators should be taken off and immediately thrown in the trash. Avoid re-using if possible
- More information on facemasks and respirators can be found at www.cdc.gov/swineflu
Seek emergency care
Get medical care immediately if the sick person has:
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain
- Purple or blue lips
- Severe vomiting
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
