Caring for others who get sick

Take precautions to prevent the spread

• Either have the sick person wear a mask, or if wear one yourself. (See below for tips on wearing a mask.)
• Clean your hands often with soap and water, especially after touching something the sick person has also touched. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
• Keep the sick person away from others for at least 7 days. Visitors should be discouraged, but regular phone calls are an ideal way to stay in touch (although it’s advisable to use a bleach-based cleaner to clean the phone after use. The virus can survive up to 48 hours.
• Encourage the use of tissues and dispose of these immediately in a waste basket.
• Segregate the sick person's belongings and wash their dishes and laundry separately.
• Keep a separate garbage can for their waste and line it with a plastic bag. Consider using a garbage bin with a foot pedal.
• Disinfect door knobs and light switches with a bleach-based cleaner or by cleaning them with a mixture that is 1 part bleach and 10 parts water.

Help ease the symptoms

• Use a cool face cloth on the face and body to help reduce the discomforts of fever.
• Take his/her temperature daily
• If needed, give the sick person a cough suppressant, and use acetaminophen or ibuprofen every 4-6 hours to help to bring down the fever and take away the aches. Do not give aspirin to children with fever as it has been linked to Reye's Syndrome, a potentially fatal disease associated with aspirin consumption by children with viral diseases.
• If antiviral medications have been ordered, follow the instructions from the physician.
• Provide the sick person with plenty of fluids and nutritious food.
• Ensure a smoke-free environment with no one smoking in your home. This all helps the body recover.

Be on alert for complications.

If the sick person experiences any of the following, consult a health care provider:

• Chest pain
• Starts to feel better, then the fever returns
• Wheezing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, coughing up blood
• Purple or bluish lip color
• Hard to wake up, unusually quiet or unresponsive, strange thoughts or actions
• New onset of diarrhea, vomiting or abdominal pain
• Signs of dehydrations such as dizziness when standing and low urine production

Tips on wearing a mask

• If a sick person needs to leave the residence for any reason, use a surgical mask. This is especially important if the ill person is using public transportation.
• tie the mask securely behind your head, and make sure the mask fully covers your nose and mouth
• replace the mask when it becomes wet or damp – a mask only works when it is dry
• avoid touching your face while wearing the mask
• do not let the mask hang around your neck – discard after use
• remove the mask by only touching the straps and place the used mask directly in the garbage. Wash your hands immediately.

*This content is adapted from information provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada