How to Care for a Sick Person with H1N1

Like healthcare providers, people who care for sick people need extra precautions in dealing with the patients. If you’re in a situation like this, then the following advice could help you in caring for a sick person with H1N1:

Consult with the patient’s doctor

It’s really important for you to check the background of the patient through his/her doctor. People with underlying conditions like respiratory conditions, diabetes, asthma, or if they are pregnant should be given different treatment plans. Consulting with the doctor’s patient would best help you avoid complications, while you care for a sick person with H1N1. The doctor could provide you with strategies that could be effective for caring the patient.

Quarantine

It has been a practice for most of those suspected of having the A H1N1 virus to subject themselves to up to 10 days of self quarantine while the lab tests are still ongoing. This would ensure that the carrier of the virus, if it’s indeed confirmed, would not infect other people.

Wear Protective Mask

A protective mask, in some ways, could help lessen the transmission of the virus from person to person. The one who cares for the sick person with H1N1 definitely needs one, and so does the patient. The protective mask should cover the mouth and the nose where, possible infiltration of the virus could be stopped.

Provide more liquid

It is essential for a sick person to drink juices and other liquids that has electrolyte in them to avoid dehydration. Water is recommended as well as soup, broth, and other fruit juices. A sick person with H1N1 needs a lot of liquid because fever, diarrhea and vomiting could cause dehydration.

Clean the surroundings

Hygiene is not just a must, but a requirement in caring for a sick person. Use cleaning agents that could eradicate germs and viruses on walls, tiles, and sink. The bathroom, which is being used by the sick person, should always be cleaned. This would ensure that the virus would not spread from the sick person to you or from other persons that will use the bathroom.