Protect other persons in the home

• The sick person should not have visitors other than caregivers. A phone call is safer than a visit.
• If possible, have only one adult in the home take care of the sick person. *People at increased risk of
severe illness from flu should not be the designated caretaker, if possible.
*http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/symptoms.htm
• 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. For more
information, see the *Interim Recommendations for Facemask and Respirator Use.
*http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/masks.htm
• Avoid having pregnant women care for the sick person. (Pregnant women are at increased risk of
influenza-related complications and immunity can be suppressed during pregnancy).
• Avoid having sick family members care for infants and *other groups at high risk for complications of
influenza. *http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/symptoms.htm
• All persons in the household should clean their hands with soap and water or an *alcohol-based hand
rub* frequently, including after every contact with the sick person or the person’s room or bathroom.
*http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm#antibacterial
• Use paper towels for drying hands after hand washing or dedicate cloth towels to each person in the
household. For example, have different colored towels for each person.
• If possible, consideration should be given to maintaining good ventilation in shared household areas
(e.g., keeping windows open in restrooms, kitchen, bathroom, etc.).
• Antiviral medications can be used to prevent the flu, so check with your health care provider to see if
some persons in the home should use antiviral medications.