How to Care For a Person Who Has Contracted the Swine H1N1 Virus

By Jennifer Kirkman

Step One:

If someone in your home develops Swine Flu and they have an underlying medical condition such as diabetes, lung and respiratory conditions like asthma, or if they are pregnant, it is essential that you take the time to contact their doctor to obtain strategies that are safe to use to properly care for them. The same holds true for those who have a weakened immune system due to other health complications.

Step Two:

When caring for someone that has contracted the 2009 H1N1 Type A Influenza, it is important to ensure that both you and they remain in the home for at least one week. However, an ideal situation would put individuals staying in the home for up to ten days. Since so little is known about this strain that combines viruses from swine, birds, as well as humans, the seven day guideline is based on the contagious period seen in most viruses that infect individuals each year.

Step Three:

Ensure that you wear a protective mask and protective gloves while caring for the sick. They, too, should wear at least a protective face mask that covers the nose area and the mouth area. Each individual that shares a home with the contagious individual should also wear protective masks.

Step Four:

It is essential that the individual who has contracted the Swine H1N1 Virus engages a diet that includes clear liquids. This will prevent in dehydration due to fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. Many who have this condition do not have much of an appetite, but they should be encouraged to drink water, chew ice chips, eat soups, eat Jell-O, indulge in broth, and drink beverages that are found to have a high level of electrolytes in them. These types of clear liquids will ensure that the sick individual still ingests minerals and nutrients that are essential during the recovery process.

Step Five:

If you are caring for the sick, it is important to keep the room and bathroom that they use as clean as possible. You should purchase cleaning agents that are known to contain antibacterial and disinfecting qualities. These types of cleansers for the home are known to actually kill germs that may otherwise linger on surfaces and spread to others in the home.

Step Six:

There are several tips on how to care for a person that has contracted the Swine H1N1 Virus. Here, you have read of many. If you require further information on the steps to treat the Swine Flu, or prevent the spread of it, you may contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention at: 1-800-CDC-INFO.
Jennifer Kirkman is the owner of many websites, two of the main ones are http://www.diabetesandrelatedhealthissues.com, and also http://www.dietplansandweightloss.com Visit these sites for much more information on diabetes and diabetes problems, and proper nutrition.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Kirkman