1. Home Care for Pandemic Flu

2. Pandemic Flu Preparation

3. Class Objectives –Learn the signs and symptoms of the flu. Learn the differences between seasonal and pandemic flu. –Know how to protect yourself and others. –Learn the steps to take when you observe pandemic flu symptoms. –Know how to prepare your household for a flu pandemic.

4. About the Flu

5. Signs and Symptoms of the Flu –Fever –Cough –Runny nose –Muscle pain

6. Differences Between Seasonal and Pandemic Flu Seasonal Caused by a known virus Usual symptoms Effects young and old Causes modest impact Pandemic Caused by a new virus More severe symptoms Will effect everyone Could be very disruptive

7. 20 th Century Flu Pandemics 1918: “Spanish Flu” 20-40 million deaths 1957: “Asian Flu” 1-4 million deaths 1968: “Hong Kong Flu” 1-4 million deaths

8. How the Flu Spreads –When a person with the flu coughs or sneezes, flu contaminated droplets exit their mouth and nose. The virus gets into the air (within 3 feet), on objects and hands. –People may get the flu by breathing in these droplets or when they touch people or objects that are contaminated and then touch their own eyes, mouth, or nose.

9. How Fast Can a Pandemic Spread?

10. Reducing Your Risk

11. Preventing the Spread –Clean your hands. –Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve. –Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.

12. Someone with flu symptoms should: –Avoid contact with others. Stay home from work, school and errands. –Consider wearing a surgical mask when around others. –Listen to your local radio station for advice from the health department.

14. FAQs –Masks: type, protection –Other protective gear: gowns, goggles –Will the seasonal flu vaccine work? –Can I get bird flu from eating poultry?

15. Hand Washing When a Household Member is Sick Before, during and after caring for the sick person After coughing or sneezing Before, during and after preparing food Before eating After using the bathroom After handling trash, garbage or animal waste When coming home from public places

16. Steps for Proper Hand Washing 1)Wet hands, apply liquid soap, rub hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds, scrub nails by rubbing them against the palms of your hands, then rinse. 2)Dry your hands thoroughly with a paper towel, and use it to turn off the faucet. OR 1)Apply a “quarter-sized” amount of alcohol-based hand cleanser. 2)Rub hands vigorously for 20 seconds.

17. Cleaning When a Household Member is Sick –Wear disposable gloves when in contact with surfaces that may have been coughed or sneezed on. –Clean with paper towels and dispose of them in a waste basket lined with a plastic bag. –Wash your hands after handling dirty laundry. It’s okay to wash everyone’s clothes together.

18. More Cleaning Tips –Disinfect any surfaces commonly touched through out the house. Use a fresh mixture of ¼ cup of bleach with one gallon of water or an alcohol-based spray, like LysoL®

19. More Cleaning Tips –Clean dishes in the dishwasher with the energy saving features off. Allow the dishwasher to use the hottest water possible and use a heated drying cycle. –If you wash dishes by hand, use very hot water and put bleach in the rinse water to disinfect them. ¼ cup bleach for every gallon of water

20. Homecare for Your Loved Ones

21. Caring for a Sick Loved One –Designate one person to be the caregiver in your home. –Call a health-care professional for further advice. –Keep a care log. This will allow you to give more accurate information on your loved one’s condition to your doctor.

22. When to Call the Doctor Again If your loved one has: –High Fever Greater then 105° F (40° C) for an adult or child 103° F (39.4° C) for a baby three months to 24 months old –Shaking chills –Coughing that produces a thick, yellowish-greenish colored mucus –Dehydration Feeling of dry mouth or excessive thirst –Worsening of an existing medical condition, such as cancer, HIV, diabetes, heart or lung disease.

23. Additional Worrisome Signs –Irritability –Confusion –Difficulty breathing or chest pain with each breath –Bluish Skin –Stiff neck –Inability to move an arm or leg –Seizure Call your doctor if your loved one has any of these symptoms:

24. People with the Flu Need to: –Get lots of rest. –Take medication to reduce fever and relieve symptoms. –Drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration. –Avoid alcohol and tobacco. The flu is caused by a virus; antibiotics, such as penicillin, will not cure it.

25. Preventing Dehydration –Dehydration occurs when the body loses too much water and it can be serious. –To avoid dehydration Give soothing drinks and soups at the first signs of the flu. Give fluids that contain electrolytes. –soups, broth, fruit juice –electrolyte drinks are also available at your pharmacy or grocer –make your own for people over the age of 12

26. Make Your Own Electrolyte Drink –Mix One quart water ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon table salt 3 to 4 tablespoons sugar ¼ teaspoon salt substitute (“lite” salt) –Stir Well, add crushed ice –Flavor with lemon juice or sugarless Kool-Aid® (Not recommended for children under age 12.)

27. To Reduce a Fever –Always follow the advice of the health-care professional. –Give plenty of fluids. –Give fever-reducing medication. –When the fever is high, give the loved one a sponge bath with lukewarm water. –Keep a record of your loved one’s temperature and medications. –Your doctor may advise additional doses of an alternative fever-reducing medication.

28. Preparing Your Household –Designate the primary caregiver and an alternate to care for children/people with special needs. –Complete “Emergency Contacts” and “Family Health Information” forms. –Using these Guidelines, stock all supplies you need to be self-sufficient for several weeks.

29. Preparing Your Household for a Flu Pandemic: Medical –Medical Supply Guidelines Have an extra month’s supply of all the medications taken. Have flu care needs available for all the people in the household.

30. Preparing Your Household for a Flu Pandemic: Food –Food Supply Guidelines Buy what your household normally eats. Rotate your supplies to keep them fresh.

31. Preparing Your Household for a Flu Pandemic: Supplies –Basic Daily Needs and Household Supply Guidelines Have plenty of disinfectant on hand. Have enough batteries on hand in case of a power failure. Be sure to take care of people with special needs, babies, children, the elderly, and pets.

32. Preparing Your Household for a Flu Pandemic: Other Considerations –Have all important family documents organized. –Have some cash on hand. –Know where to find accurate up-to-date information.

33. Conclusion Be responsible, plan and prepare now to take care of your household and have the necessary supplies to be self-sufficient for two to three weeks.

34. Preparing Your Organization