Guidance for H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu): Taking Care of Yourself or a Sick Person in Your Home

The main way that influenza viruses are thought to spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. Influenza viruses may also be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets on another person or an object and then touches their own mouth or nose before washing their hands.

People with H1N1 flu who are cared for at home should:

• Stay home until you have been symptom free for 24 hours. If leaving home for necessary medical care, the sick person must wear a mask.
• Stay in a separate room with the door closed. Wear a face mask when sharing common spaces with other household members to help prevent spreading the virus to others. This is especially important if other household members are at high risk for complications from influenza.
• Avoid being face to face with any one. Maintain a distance of six feet.
• Place used tissues into a bag or trash. Do not leave out for others to touch.
• Limit visitors. Phone calls are safer.
• Cover coughs and sneezes. Clean hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often and especially after using tissues and after coughing or sneezing into hands. Have household members wash hands frequently.
• Avoid being cared for by women who are pregnant.
• Avoid close contact with others - DO NOT go to work or school while ill.

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek medical care.

In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• 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:

• 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

Household Cleaning, Laundry, and Waste Disposal

• Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by the sick person in the trash. Instruct the sick person to place tissues in trash. Wash your hands after touching used tissues and similar waste.
• Keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
• Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but it is very important these items are not shared without washing thoroughly first.
• Wash linens (such as bed sheets and towels) by using household laundry soap and tumble dry on a hot setting. Avoid “hugging” laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating yourself. Clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub right after handling dirty laundry.
• Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap.

Monitor yourself and household members for flu-like symptoms and contact a health care provider if symptoms occur. DO NOT go to the physician office without calling first. Ask the office if you should enter through main door. They may direct you to another entrance to avoid exposure to others in the waiting room.

If picking up medication, please send a person who is not ill, or use drive-thru pharmacies.