Influenza--the flu--is a contagious viral infection that affects the respiratory system and causes chills, headaches, aching muscles, fatigue, congestion, and a fever, usually over 100 degrees. Although influenza normally goes away by itself within a week, MayoClinic.com notes that it can cause serious complications in very young children, elderly adults, and those with impaired immune systems or chronic diseases. Most influenza cases can be treated at home, but FamilyDoctor.org warns that you should call the doctor if a fever rises above 102 degrees, or if there is trouble breathing, chest pain, mental changes, persistent vomiting, severe sinus pain or very swollen glands.
Step 1
Set up a sick room to prevent the spread of influenza germs to the rest of the household; if you have more than one bathroom, designate the closest one for the sick person to utilize. Stock the sick room with personal items for the flu sufferer's exclusive use. The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control recommend stocking the room with drinking cups with straws, a cooler with ice and drinks, clean washcloths and towels, and a thermometer.
Step 2
Purchase disposable face masks and place them in the sick room for the influenza sufferer to wear when she leaves the room, or is visited in the room by others. The CDC notes that visits by anyone other than the caregiver should be avoided, but if this is not possible, the visitors should stay a minimum of 6 feet from the patient.
Step 3
Offer plenty of non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic beverages to the sick person to help avoid dehydration. Water, sports drinks containing electrolytes and fruit juices are all good choices. Using a cup with a straw can make it easier for a person to take fluids. The CDC says you may also offer ice chips or popsicles for the patient to suck on.
Step 4
Monitor the flu sufferer to make sure she doesn't get dehydrated, a serious medical condition. Check to make sure she is making frequent trips to the bathroom to urinate. The CDC notes that while clear or pale yellow urine means the person is getting enough fluid, dark yellow urine indicates dehydration.
Step 5
Give medications to ease influenza symptoms if the sick person doesn't have any conditions that preclude their use. The University of California Health Center recommends giving ibuprofren or acetaminophen to lower fever and alleviate muscles aches; over-the-counter cough medicine may soothe the dry cough that accompanies influenza. To avoid the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious illness, the CDC warns you should never give aspirin to anyone under age 18. Consult a doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.
Step 6
Use a humidifier in the room to reduce congestion and make it easier for the sick person to breathe.
Step 7
Offer plain, nourishing, easily digestible foods. Dietician.com recommends putting plain or buttered toast, applesauce, and rice on the menu for a flu sufferer. According to Kaboose.com, chicken soup, along with its soothing properties, can help thin mucus secretions.
Step 8
Disinfect the sick room daily by wiping hard surfaces, such as bedside tables, sinks, toilets, and doorknobs, with an antimicrobial household cleaner. Wash bed sheets and laundry daily, and tumble dry on a hot setting.
Step 9
Use an accurate thermometer to check temperature, and encourage the flu patient to stay remain confined in the sick room until she has been free of fever for at least 24 hours without the help of fever-reducing drugs. The University of California Health Center states that until this occurs, the person is still contagious.
Tips and Warnings
- The CDC advises a cool, damp washcloth on the forehead or washing the arms or body with a cool cloth to treat fever; you can also help the person bathe in a bath that is only slightly warm.
- To avoid catching the virus yourself, wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water, especially after touching the sick person. The CDC recommends counting to 20 as you wash.
Things You'll Need
- Drinking cups
- Straws
- Cooler with ice
- Sports drinks, water or juices
- Clean washcloth
- Clean towels
- Disposable face masks, available at pharmacies or medical supply stores
- Ibuprofen or acetaminophen
- Over-the-counter cough medicine
- Humidifier
- Antimicrobial household cleaner
- Thermometer
