Health and Social Services
H1N1 (Human Swine Flu) - Looking after someone who is ill
Read our document: What to do if you think you have the flu [ 147 KB 
]- to help you decide what to do.
There are 10 steps to help an ill person, while protecting yourself and others from getting ill.
1. Minimize contact with the ill person.
- Provide care and comfort for the sick person, but do not stay with them at all times.
- Be sure to practice good basic hygiene such as washing your hands with soap and water immediately after exposure to the sick person or things they have touched.
2. Sick people should stay in their own room, so they do not spread the virus elsewhere in the house.
- Encourage them to rest.
- Restrict visitors unless necessary; use telephone, email, or letters instead.
3. The sick person should wear a simple surgical mask when someone is in the room with them (to stop the spread of infection).
- Encourage the use of a tissue when coughing or sneezing, if the sick person cannot tolerate a mask.
4. Consider wearing a simple surgical mask and safety glasses (or wrap-around sports glasses) if you are going to be in close contact with and caring for the sick person (within two metres).
5. Clean your hands regularly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand gel—even if they don’t look dirty:
- Before and after putting on a mask before being close to someone who is sick;
- after being in a sick person’s room;
- after touching anything that a sick person has touched (such as dishes, towels, clothes, or removing trash);
- Before you eat; or,
- Before touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
6. Keep the sick person’s things separate from others
- Provide the sick person with their own towel, face cloth, and toothbrush.
- Wash dishes, dirty laundry and towels with hot water and soap as soon as you take them out of the room.
- Clean your hands afterwards and avoid touching your eyes.
7. Anything a sick person touches should be handled carefully
- Line their garbage with a plastic bag, so you don’t need to touch the contents. Ideally, have a garbage bin with a foot pedal, so that you do not need to touch the garbage to put something in it.
- Disinfect door knobs and light switches by cleaning them with a mixture that is 1 part bleach and 10 parts water.
8. Give the sick person fluids, nutritious foods, Do not smoke around the person.
- Offer warm drinks, such as tea with honey and lemon, or chicken soup, which can be very soothing for those whose throats may be sore from coughing. They may not be hungry at first, but simple foods such as cooked oatmeal, or mashed vegetables may be welcomed.
- Cigarettes should be avoided; they are especially hard on the lungs when there is an infection. People shouldn’t smoke around them either as second hand smoke is also harmful.
9. Treat the fever and cough.
- Fever often comes with chills or aches and pains. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) every 4-6 hours may help to bring down the fever and take away the aches. Do not give aspirin to children as it has been linked to Reye’s Syndrome.
- A cool face cloth to the face and neck or over the whole body can help the fever too.
- If antiviral medications have been ordered, ensure they get it twice a day.
10. Be on alert for complications. Most people on medications and with rest will begin to feel better after a few days. However, be on the lookout. Sometimes complications, such as asthma or pneumonia, or another problem can occur that may mean they need to have a health assessment again. Take their temperature at least daily.
See a Health Care Provider at your Community Health Centre, or call Yukon HealthLine 811 if :
- you have flu symptoms and you belong to a group at risk of developing complications, such as: pregnant women, children under 2 years of age, adults over 65 years of age and those with a weakened immune system, chronic illness or obesity issues
- you have a fever lasting more than 3 days
- you have increased trouble breathing.
Go immediately to Emergency or your local Health Centre (call ahead if possible) if you have one or more of the following symptoms:
- shortness of breath (wheezing, difficulty breathing)
- chest pain
- drowsiness, confusion, disorientation or difficulty being roused
- dehydration/no urination for 12 hours
- fever in an infant less than 3 months old
If needed, call 911 or Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the communities.
