Follow Safe Caregiver Protocol
Avoid being face to face with the sick person when possible. If you have sick children who need to be comforted, hold them with their chins on your shoulders so that they will not cough in your face and wash your hands and torso well and sanitize after contact. Keeping an alcohol-based hand sanitizer on bedside tables or dressers is a great way to remind yourself to keep your hands clean.
When washing clothing or linens the sick person used, you should avoid hugging them to your body to minimize your risk of contracting the virus. Instead, use a laundry basket and wash clothing and linens on the hot setting.
When washing dishes, when possible, run the dishes through a dishwasher with a heated dry or sanitize setting to kill off the virus before reusing them on a healthy family member.
When to Take Extra Precautions
Certain populations are at a higher risk of developing potentially deadly complications from the flu, which can lead to hospitalization and death. Of all of those risk factors, age seems to be the highest risk, with senior citizens (those aged 65 and over), infants and young children (especially those under the age of two) being at the highest risk for complications.
Other risk factors that may expose you or a loved one to risks of complications from the flu can include:
● Chronic illness, such as heart disease
● Weakened immune system, from medications (such as chemotherapy) or HIV