6114.8 Form #9 6114.8 Form #9Tips for Parents on Coping with Pandemic Flu
Plan for an extended stay at home during a flu pandemic.
• Ask your employer about how business will continue during a pandemic.
• Ask your employer if you can work from home during a flu pandemic.
• Plan for a possible reduction or loss of income, if you are unable to work or your place of employment is closed.
• Check with your employer or union about leave policies.
• Plan home learning activities and exercises. Have materials, such as books, on hand.
• Plan recreational activities that your children can do at home.
Items to have on hand for an extended stay at home:
Examples: Non-perishable foods, health and emergency supplies
• Ready to eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables, soups • Protein or fruit bars • Dry cereal or granola • Peanut butter and jelly • Dried fruit, nuts, trail mix • Crackers • Canned juices • Bottled water • Fluids with electrolytes, such as Pedialyte® • Canned or jarred baby food • Baby formula | • Soap and water or alcohol based hand wash • Medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) • Thermometer • Vitamins • Prescribed medical supplies such as, glucose and blood pressure monitoring • Flashlight with extra batteries • Portable radio with extra batteries • Manual can opener • Pet food • Garbage bags • Tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers |
If someone in your home develops flu symptoms (fever, cough, muscle aches):
• Encourage plenty of fluids to drink.
• Keep the ill person as comfortable as possible. Rest is important.
• For adults with fever, sore throat and muscle aches, use ibuprofen (Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).
• Do not use aspirin in children or teenagers; it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a life threatening illness.
• Sponging with tepid (wrist-temperature) water lowers fever only during the period of sponging. Do not sponge with alcohol.
• Keep tissues and a trash bag for their disposal within reach of the patient.
• All members of the household should wash their hands frequently.
• Keep other family members and visitors away from the person who is ill.
• Contact a healthcare provider for further advice. If the ill person is having difficulty breathing or is getting worse, contact the healthcare provider right away.
For more information, call your healthcare provider or visit the Connecticut Department of Public Health website at http://www.dph.state.ct.us/avian/panfacts.htm, or visit the federal government’s pandemic flu website: http://www.pandemicflu.gov. Also, Federal Emergency Management Agency at http://www.fema.gov.