It’s important to be prepared in case the pandemic H1N1 flu affects a lot of people. You’ll need to be aware of a few possibilities, for example:
- It may be difficult to get medical care.
- Large numbers of sick people may overwhelm hospitals and clinics.
- Doctors and nurses will get sick, too, so hospitals and clinics may be short-staffed. Services may be limited.
- Medicines for flu symptoms may be in short supply.
- Many people will be unable to work, so businesses, banks, government offices and other services might have shorter hours.
Health officials will keep you informed about what to do if the situation worsens. They will work with the media to provide timely information and advice. A few other tips to keep in mind:
Keep your distance
If the severity of the illness increases, you may be asked to stay away from others. Staying home when ill until 24 hours after a fever has gone will help stop the spread of the virus.
Know school policies
Ask about your school’s policies about illnesses and being absent. School closures are unlikely, but just in case, make a plan for taking care of your children if their school closes. If your children become ill, keep them home from school until they have been free from fever (a measurable temperature of 100 degrees F or higher) for at least 24 hours.
Know your neighbors
Talk with family, friends and neighbors to make sure everyone is prepared. Be ready to help neighbors who are elderly or have special needs if services they depend on are not available.
At work
Aside from being vaccinated, staying home from work if you're sick is the most important thing you can do to protect others. Stay home until you have been free from fever (a measurable temperature of 100 degrees F or higher) for at least 24 hours. Ask your employer or union about sick leave and policies about absences, time off and telecommuting.
Make sure your business, organization or agency has a plan for getting essential work done if large numbers of employees are absent over many months. You may be asked to perform duties that are not typically part of your job.
If you can, find ways to reduce personal contact, such as increased use of e-mail or phone conferences. Explore ways to get your work done from home.
Protect yourself by getting vaccinated
Be sure to get an annual flu shot or nasal-spray vaccine as soon as possible. This will protect you from the most common varieties of seasonal flu expected to be circulating this fall and winter. You’ll also need to be vaccinated against pandemic H1N1 flu. For children between the ages of 6 months and 9 years, two doses of vaccine will be necessary to protect them from pandemic H1N1. To offer the best protection, the second dose needs to be received 21-28 days after the first vaccination.
Home care
Learn basic caregiving. Know how to care for someone with a fever, body aches and lung congestion. Health authorities can provide specific instructions for caring for those who are sick as well as information about when to call a health care provider. Learn how to recognize and treat dehydration: watch for weakness, fainting, dry mouth, dark concentrated urine, low blood pressure or a fast pulse when lying or sitting down. The flu virus causes the body to lose water through fever and sweating. To prevent dehydration, it is very important for a person with the flu to drink a lot of water—up to 12 glasses a day.
Keep these items in your home
- Enough food and water per person for a week or more—choose foods that will keep for a long time and do not require refrigeration or cooking.
- Medications—keep at least a week’s supply of the medicines you take regularly.
- Items to relieve flu symptoms—stock medicines for fever, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. (Warning: never give aspirin or products that contain aspirin to children or teens who have the flu. This can cause Reye’s syndrome, a potentially deadly disorder that can cause swelling of the brain.)
- Cold packs, blankets and humidifiers will also be useful. Have extra water and fruit juices on hand. The flu virus causes dehydration, and drinking extra fluids helps.
- Items for personal comfort—store at least a week’s supply of soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper and cleaning products.
- Activities for yourself and your children—include books, crafts, board games, art supplies, etc.
- Pet supplies—remember food, water and litter.
- Cell phone or regular phone with a cord.
- Large trash bags—garbage service may be disrupted or postponed for many days.
Make household and family emergency plans
- Decide who will take care of children if schools are closed.
- Plan to limit the number of trips you take to shop or to run errands.
- Think about how you would care for people in your family who have disabilities if supports are not available.
- Be prepared to get by for at least a week on what you have at home.