Medical Advisory Group,
The CDC has released the following information: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm
for homecare of persons with H1N1 infection. As public education,
it is very lengthy and for many homes pieces of the guidance are somewhat
impractical. We are looking for a “pocket sized” guidance
that doesn’t create a health risk.
Some specific concerns are the recommendation that family members
stay 6 ft away from the sick. (try telling that to a mother whose child
needs comforting). I believe that there are simpler ways of preventing
this illness within the home than donning an N-95 mask to rock your child to
sleep. I don’t want to have a mother read the guidance from the CDC
and deem it impracticable and thus discount the entire guidance. Below
are some statements also found in the CDC recommendations. I would like
the Medical Advisory Group to look at these and add some as you feel necessary.
Follow
These Home Care Recommendations:
- Stay home for at least 24 hours
after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other
necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing
medicine.)
- Keep away from others as much as
possible. This is to keep from making others sick.
- Drink clear fluids (such as water,
broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants) to keep from
being dehydrated.
- Dishes can be done in dishwasher or
with hot soapy water.
- Throw away tissues and other
disposable items used by the sick person in the trash. Wash your hands
after touching used tissues and similar waste.
- Have everyone in the household wash
hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. If
soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. *
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and
mouth. Germs spread this way.
Are the above 7 guidelines thorough enough to
endorse locally for family home care in Klamath County- or are we missing any
critical pieces of information that need to be included?
Please respond this week with your comments, and
thank you for your time,
Monte B
Keady
Division
Chief - Training/EMS
Klamath
County Fire District No. 1
143
N Broad Street,
Klamath
Falls OR 97601
541.885.2059
ext.109
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