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Home Care for Pandemic Flu
When many people get a disease at the same time, it is called a pandemic.
Pandemic flu is caused when people get sick or infected from a new flu virus
that had not been harmful to people before. This type of flu spreads easily
from person to person and can cause many people to become very ill or die.

If you are caring for a loved one during a pandemic, take steps to protect
yourself and others. Listen for information on how to care for a person ill with
pandemic flu from local and state officials.

The signs of seasonal flu are fever, cough, runny nose and muscle pain. The
signs of pandemic flu are the same, but they may be more severe and affect
more people. If you or a loved one has signs of pandemic flu, stay home and
avoid contact with others. The flu virus is spread when contaminated droplets
leave the mouth and nose of an infected person and the virus comes in contact
with others.
Gather these supplies to prepare for pandemic flu:
Thermometer
Surgical masks (one for each person)
Soap
Alcohol based hand sanitizer
Paper towels
Tissues
A disinfectant cleaner or a cleaner with bleach
A box of disposable gloves
Cans of soup and broth
Fluids with electrolytes and vitamins such as sports drinks like Gatorade
and Powerade
Fever reducing medicine such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
Caring for a Loved One

• Call your doctor to report your loved one’s flu signs. Your doctor will give
you advice about home care or tell you if emergency care is needed.
• Write down the date, time, fever, signs, medicines given and dosage. Make
a note when his or her signs change.