Caring for someone who has the flu

2/6/2014

By Lisa Williams, RN
Siloam Springs Regional Hospital Emergency Department Director

Taking care of someone who has the influenza (flu) virus can be a difficult task if you’re hoping to stay healthy and keep the rest of your family healthy as well. The virus can remain on surfaces and infect others for two to eight hours after being deposited on the surface. Siloam Springs Regional Hospital’s (SSRH) Emergency Department offers some tips, advice and tricks of the trade to help you and your family weather the flu season.

The sick person
It’s important to keep the person who has the flu away from others (except the direct caregiver) as much as possible. It is extremely important to keep them away from those who are at high risk for flu complications (such as children, pregnant women, those 65 and older, or people who have chronic health issues).

The sick person should be in a room that isn’t one of the common areas of the house – ideally, a spare bedroom with its own bathroom. The bathroom should be cleaned daily with disinfectant. If possible, the door to the sick room should be kept shut. A facemask is recommended, if tolerable and available, when the sick person needs to be in the common areas of the house.

The caregiver
One family member should be designated as the caregiver for the sick person. This can help reduce others getting ill. As caregiver, these tips can help prevent you from getting the flu:

• Avoid close face-to-face interaction with the ill person. If unavoidable, a face mask can offer protection.
• Ask your physician if you can take an antiviral medication as a preventative step.
• If a small child is sick, place their chin on your shoulder when holding them so they will not cough in your face.
• Use soap and water or hand sanitizer to clean your hands after touching the sick person or handling their tissues or laundry.
• Monitor yourself and family members for flu-like symptoms and contact your physician if symptoms occur.

Protecting others
It’s important to ensure others in the house do not become sick as well. Check with your doctor to see if anyone in the household should be on antiviral medications to prevent the flu. These tips also can help protect others:

• Visitors should be limited only to the caregiver.
• Those at high-risk for flu complications should avoid close contact – within 6 feet – with those who have the flu. If it can’t be prevented, consider wearing a facemask.
• Do not allow sick family members to care for infants and others that are at high-risk for complications.
• Everyone should regularly wash their hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer – especially after having contact with the sick person, their room or bathroom. Use paper towels to dry hands after washing – not cloth.
• Good ventilation is important in shared areas. If possible, keep windows open in bathrooms, the kitchen and other rooms used by family members.
• Ensure the sick person covers their mouth when they cough and washes their hands often – especially after coughing or sneezing.

Medications
Medications are available by prescription to treat flu symptoms and can help reduce the possibility of serious complications. They also may help you feel better, faster.

For those with a mild case of the flu: Get plenty of rest, liquids and over-the-counter medicines which can help symptoms. The medications, however, will not prevent you from spreading the flu.

For fevers and aches the following may help: Acetaminophen (Tylenol); or ibubrofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin); or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Those with kidney disease or stomach problems should ask their physician before taking NSAIDS.

Always check ingredients on the package before taking medication to see if it already contains acetaminophen or ibuprofen – don’t double dose.

Sometimes, influenza infections can lead to or occur with a bacterial infection. If this is the case, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic.

Foods that heal
Eating can help you get over the flu quicker, even when you might not feel up to it. Nutrition is important and you should choose bland, easy-on-the-stomach items such as:

• Proteins – They keep your body and immune system strong and bland foods such as boneless, skinless chicken breasts can give you a quick boost of protein. Toast with peanut butter or nuts also are a good choice. If you can’t get anything down, a protein shake is another option.
• B6 – B6 can help relieve nausea. If you don’t feel up to leafy greens, ask your physician if you can try a B6 supplement. B6 also can be found in fortified cereal.
• The BRAT diet – BRAT stands for bananas, rice, apples and toast which are good to help an upset stomach.
• Hot soup – This is a good source of liquid and soothing heat for a sore throat. The saltiness also may help lower the risk of dehydration from fever. Clear broths should be selected over creamy soups.
• Liquids – If vomiting, do not eat or drink for more than an hour after the last episode. Try 2 ounces of water or a flat lemon-lime beverage. If that stays down, repeat every 15- 30 minutes. After vomiting has stopped for a few hours increase your liquid intake to replace the fluids you have lost. Choose water, tea, fruit juice and carbonated beverages. Staying hydrated can reduce headaches and a sore throat.
• Green tea – Antioxidants in the tea leaves can help immune function.
• Honey – First, be aware that honey should never be given to children younger than age 1 – it can cause botulism. For others, it is an option to reduce coughing as it coats and soothes an irritated throat. You can sweeten hot tea with it or try swallowing between 1/2 to 2 teaspoons, especially before you want to sleep.
• Other choices: toast, crackers, popsicles, ginger ale and Jell-O.

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About Siloam Springs Regional Hospital
Siloam Springs Regional Hospital is a 73 licensed bed facility with 42 private patient rooms. It is accredited by the State of Arkansas Department of Health Services and The Joint Commission. Some services include inpatient and outpatient surgery, emergency medicine, medical, surgical and intensive care units, obstetrics, outpatient diagnostic services and inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. With more than 30 physicians on the medical staff, Siloam Springs Regional Hospital provides compassionate, customer-focused care. The new facility, which opened April 2012, is located at 603 N. Progress Ave. in Siloam Springs, Ark.

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