A Word about the Flu

Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his
or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air.
Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk,
for example, and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.
Steps to Lessen the Spread of Flu in the Home
When providing care to a household member who is sick with influenza, the most important ways to protect
yourself and others who are not sick are to:
• Keep the sick person away from other people as much as possible (see “placement of the sick person”)
especially others who are at high risk for complications from influenza
• Remind the sick person to cover their coughs, and clean their hands with soap and water or an alcoholbased
hand rub often, especially after coughing and/or sneezing
• Have everyone in the household clean their hands often, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand
rub. Children may need reminders or help keeping their hands clean
• Ask your health care provider if household contacts of the sick person—particularly those contacts who
may be pregnant or have chronic health conditions—should take antiviral medications such as
oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (Relenza®) to prevent the flu
• If you are in a *high risk group for complications from influenza, you should attempt to avoid close
contact (within 6 feet) with household members who are sick with influenza. If close contact with a sick
individual is unavoidable, consider wearing a facemask or respirator, if available and tolerable. Infants
should not be cared for by sick family members. For more information, see the * Interim
Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use
*(http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/symptoms.htm and http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/masks.htm