Flu Season is Here: How to take care of someone who has the flu

Taken from The News Journal today
Wilmington News Journal  01/06/2015, Page D03

The Flu Season is starting to peak and it can make a person feel very lousy. When I was younger, my mom would make me chicken noodle soup, provide me with some fever reducer medicines and wipe down all surfaces in my room  to keep me from spreading the virus to all my other brothers and sisters.  Here are other tips provided to reduce flu exposure.  If you think you are coming down with the flu  (symptoms such as: fever, cough, chills, body aches), contact your healthcare provider for  more self-care advice.  It is still not too late to get a flu shot. All the best, Dr. Nina

How to take care of someone who has the flu by DIANA KOHNLE HEALTHDAY When you’re caring for a loved one with the flu, it’s important to protect yourself from getting sick. The flu.gov http://flu.gov website suggests: Create a sick room to help isolate the sick person. Frequently wash hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, particularly after contact with the sick person or something the sick person has touched. Encourage the sick person to cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and to frequently wash hands. Limit caregiving to one person in the home to reduce exposure to other family members. If caring for a sick child, hold the child with the chin on your shoulder so the child doesn’t cough into your face. Keep the home as ventilated as possible. Keep surfaces disinfected and dispose of any tissues. Wash linens, dishes and eating utensils thoroughly. Create a sick room for the person with the flu to minimize the spread of the virus. GETTY IMAGES