Who is the caretaker in your family when somebody gets sick? When I was growing up, taking care of sick kids was my mom’s job (although she did share the duties with both of my grandmothers on occasion).
With the double flu whammy this winter, you may find your family needing a caretaker. It’s all too easy for the flu (or another illness) to hop from one member of a household to another! Here are some tips to help keep the flu in check if somebody in your family gets sick.
First and foremost, try to keep the sick person away from other family members (and visitors). This can be tricky, but it’s a good way to contain the virus. Try to set the sick person up in a bedroom with its own bathroom, if possible. If nothing else, limit exposure to people who are high risk of catching the flu (or whatever illness it is you are dealing with). It may work best to designate one person as the caretaker, so the rest of the family has less exposure to the flu from the sick family member.
Other tips to contain the flu:
- Wash your hands often. That includes everybody: the sick person, the caretaker, and the other family members. Hand-washing is especially important after coughing or sneezing or handling objects that have been in the sick room.
- Wear a facemask. For healthy family members, wearing a facemask can help keep them from catching the disease. For sick family members, wearing a facemask can help reduce the spread of germs.
- Clean surfaces frequently with a disinfectant. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control suggest daily cleaning, especially in the bathroom.
- Keep towels separate. Issue a different towel to each family member or use disposable towels while someone is sick. This way, you’ll have less chance of spreading the disease through towel contact.
- Try to keep shared areas well-ventilated.
- Don’t leave dirty tissues or handkerchiefs all over the place — make sure garbage goes right into the garbage and laundry items go right into a hamper.
- Don’t share plates or eating utensils with a sick person! Wash all dishes and silverware with soap and water before reuse.
If the flu pays your house a visit, be sure to keep an eye on all family members for symptoms. And if you are the caretaker, don’t forget to take good care of yourself, too! A lack of rest and/or the stress of caring for someone can tax your immune system.