Washing the hands regularly is no doubt a very common practice and basic to cleanliness. However, with the outbreak of a pandemic, this becomes obligatory for all individuals who want to stay healthy and away from the illness.
WHO (2009) has included images as illustration of the manner of washing the hands described in the following eleven steps starting with wetting the hands first: (1) apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces; (2) rub hands palm to palm; (3) right palm over left dorsum with interlaced fingers; (4) palm to palm with fingers interlaced; (5) backs of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlocked; (6) rotational rubbing of left thumb clasped in right palm and vice versa; (7) rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards with clasped fingers of right hand in left palm and vice versa; (8) rinse hands with water; (9) dry thoroughly with a single use towel; (10) use towel to turn off faucet; and (11) … and your hands are safe. WHO recommends washing the hands to protect infection to take as long as singing twice “Happy Birthday. ”
The home is the first sanctuary where the person infected or at least suspected being infected with H1N1 virus can stay and be treated when illness or symptoms do not go worse. H1N1 is assuredly contagious and its prevention and management must start from the individual and at home. Aside from the convenience of the home, it is expected as disclosed in the news, that governments find difficulty coping with the flu virus patients or suspected patients in terms of diagnosis and treatment. This shortage, during a pandemic, also redounds to the shortage of health care professionals and the capacity of government hospitals to accommodate them. At home, patients infected with H1N1 virus can be taken cared of most properly and by eating the right foods and attention from family members.
At home when domestic support is given, the patient or any member of his or her family must consult with a health provider or a doctor as to the kind of care that they should give especially if there are possible risks or other conditions of illnesses in the patient. CDC (2009) recommends measures that are primarily useful for home care. The patient should stay at home for seven days commencing on the first sign of the symptom or else, for only 24 hours when the symptoms disappear. Antiviral medications, if they must be given, should be accordingly prescribed by a competent medical practitioner. Some flu do not really require antiviral medicines. Plenty of rest is a must.
Drinking plenty of clear fluids including water, broth, sports drinks, and electrolyte beverages for infants is not only therapeutic but prevents dehydration. When sharing common spaces with the household members, wearing a facemask if tolerable and available will prevent transmission of the virus especially when there are others in the household who are high risk. When the influenza keeps recurring, then it must be an indication that there is a need for the patient to take antibiotics. It must be understood that influenza infections can also lead to bacterial infections. CDC (2009) also gives a stern warning not to give aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) to young children and teenagers because they can cause a more serious illness called Reye’s syndrome.
Consistent with this, cold and flu medications’ content on the labels must be watched for any aspirin content which should be avoided. Acetaminophen (Tylenol), and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, and Nuprin) do not contain aspirin so that they can be taken by at least five years old children and above. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) may also be used to treat fevers but patients with kidney or stomach problems must take them if so prescribed by a doctor. Cold and flu medications used as indicated can relieve the patient. While at home, measures must be meticulously be attended to so that spreading the virus in the house is lessened if not totally prevented.
CDC proposes (2009) that the patient must be kept in another room away from the other family members most particularly from those who may be high risk while seeing to it that the patient is ever conscious of covering his mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, etc. The patient must minimize contact with the household people or else let him or her wear a facemask. His utensils and other personal use must not mix with those of the other people in the house. Visitors are discouraged from coming to the patient during his “quarantine” period except caregivers if there are. Pregnant women must not “nurse” the patient; neither should the patient care for infants. Good ventilation, as it is with common flu patients, is highly recommended. Next to the home to help in responding to the flu pandemic is the community.
Considering the scarce resources of government, community-preparedness is one of the most welcome moves to partner in a pandemic. Local governments and citizens must necessarily collaborate in the common effort (US Department of Health as Human Services (2008). This can very well fit into the disaster response programs of the communities. Starting from a common understanding in the event of an outbreak of flu pandemic as it is today, all groups, government, non-government, business and industry, and including volunteer individuals, must appropriately respond through a cooperative effort where each group has a well-defined role to assume in the eventuality of occurrence.
In effect, the whole community acts as one organization alert on any unexpected pandemic. The organized community groups must map out common action plans as a total network system with each group having clear-cut specific interrelated functions. Education/training about and on the occurrence of flu pandemic should be at the helm of the common agenda. Every citizen has the right to know and understand flu pandemic. Relative to this, the organization must plan on the broad aspects of the pandemic response from finances, to information dissemination, to command and control, and to all other workforce issues.
List of References
American Academy of Pediatrics (2009) H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Information [online] http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/