Caring For the Sick Person in Your Home

  • Wash hands with soap and water — or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer — after you touch the person, used tissues, utensils or their bed linens.
  • Do your best to avoid face-to-face (less than 3 feet away) contact.
  • Hold young children with their chins on your shoulder to avoid coughs in your face.
  • Talk with your healthcare provider about your taking antiviral medication to prevent infection.
  • If you are pregnant or in a group considered most vulnerable to complications from H1N1, try to avoid being the primary caregiver in the home if at all possible.
  • If possible, sick persons should be kept in a room apart from other family members and use a separate bathroom. This bathroom should be cleaned daily with household disinfectant (see below).

Cleaning Methods When a Sick Person Is in Your Home

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, several germicides, including chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, soap, iodine-based antiseptics and alcohol are effective against human influenza viruses.

  • Clean bedside tables, bathrooms, doorknobs, kitchen counters and children's toys daily with a household disinfectant.
  • Linens, utensils and dishes used by the sick person do not need to be washed separately, but should not be shared prior to cleaning.
  • Avoid hugging bed linens before laundering to prevent becoming contaminated, and tumble dry on the hot setting. Wash hands immediately after handling dirty laundry.

Using Facemasks and Respirators

Surgical masks (available at pharmacies, building supply and hardware stores) can help decrease the spread of H1N1 in certain situations. PADOH suggests considering them for home use only in specific situations, including:

  • Uninfected people who are at high-risk for complications from H1N1 who must come in close contact with an infected person.
  • Caregivers helping a sick person with nebulizer or inhaler respiratory treatments.
  • Used facemasks should be immediately placed in the trash after use and not saved for re-use. Clean hands after use.