Caring for the Sick

With the increase of flu cases plaguing Jasper County, the Jasper County Public Health Department along with Jasper Memorial Hospital and our local Doctor Offices have been inundated with requests for information on the H1N1 influenza.

The main question asked is how do I know if I have the flu? If you have the flu, you will have a fever and some or all of these symptoms:

• Body aches
• Muscle pain
• Fever and chills
• Headache
• Dry Cough
• Runny or stuffy nose

The next question asked most is, “Can I take care of myself or my loved ones at home?” Many influenza cases can be handled at home. If someone in your household is sick:

•Wear disposable gloves when handling body fluids.

•Keep everyone’s personal items separate (sheets, blankets, eating utensils, pens, etc.)

•Use very hot water to wash clothes and dishes.

•Wash your hands after handling dirty laundry.

•The sick person should stay in one room of the house.

•One person should be the caregiver. Consider wearing a mask.

•Disinfect any surface that is commonly touched, such as doorknobs, switches, toys, telephones, remote controls, etc.

•An effective disinfectant is one gallon water mixed with 1/4 cup bleach. After you are done, do not save the mixture for future use.

When caring for normal flu symptoms at home, follow the following suggestions:

• Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

• Take fever-reducing medicines, such as acetaminophen, aspirin or ibuprofen, following the instructions on the label. Make sure that you do not give aspirin to anyone under the age of 20.

• Keep a temperature log, including the temperature and the time.

• Take a sponge bath with lukewarm water.

• Drink plenty of water and only eat foods that are easily digested, such as soup and broth.

• Drink fluids that contain electrolytes. (See below for recipe)

• If drinking makes nausea symptoms worse, drink one sip at a time until the symptoms are gone.

Proper care of individuals with the flu should start at home. You should call your health care professional and/or 911 if symptoms are severe. You should closely monitor symptoms of flu patients.

• Keep a log that records the date, time, temperature, symptoms, the names of medicines given and the amount given.
Call your physician if you have any of these symptoms:

• High Fever—Babies 3 – 24 months, children and adults: greater than 103; babies under 3 months: Greater than 100.4.

• Shaking Chills

•Coughing that produces thick dark-colored or bloody mucus

•Dehydration, noted by dry mouth or excessive thirst

•Extreme pain in your ear

•Worsening of a pre-existing medical condition (e.g., diabetes, heart or lung disease)

If you cannot reach your physician, call 9-1-1 for any of the symptoms below:

•Irritability and/or confusion
•Difficulty breathing or chest pains
•Blue skin
•Stiff neck
•Inability to move arm or neck
•First-time seizures

Take the proper steps to reduce dehydration. If someone has diarrhea or is vomiting, give fluids that contain electrolytes. You can purchase them at a grocery store or pharmacy or you can follow the recipe below:

•1 quart water
•1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. table salt
• 3 to 4 tbsp. sugar
• 1/4 tsp. salt substitute (eg. Salt Sense®, Lite Salt®)

Mix well. Flavor with lemon juice or sugar-free Kool-Aid®
Remember always keep Emergency Contact numbers posted for quick access. Your Doctor’s Office, your drug store, friends and relatives you can always count on should head up your list.

For the latest and/or additional information on this or other health care issues contact the Jasper County Health Department at 706-468-6850 or go on line at www.northcentralhealthdistrict.com