What is Pandemic Flu?
A "pandemic" is a disease that spreads all over the world and affects a large number of people. If you are caring for a loved one during a pandemic, it's important to take steps to protect yourself and others. Always follow the most current advice of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and your local health department.

Prevent the Spread of Pandemic Flu
These healthy habits will help keep you and others from getting and passing on the virus.
> Clean your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
> Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and clean your hands afterward. Put used tissues in a wastebasket.
> Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve if you don't have a tissue.
> Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth to prevent germs from entering your body.

Also, a person with signs of the flu should:
> Stay home from work, school and errands and avoid contact with others.
> Consider wearing a surgical mask when around others. There may be benefits.

Practice Hand Hygiene
Caregivers should always wash their hands before providing care. Afterward, wash again and apply alcohol-based hand sanitizer as well. Follow these steps for proper hand hygiene:
1. Wet hands with warm, running water and apply liquid soap.
2. Rub hands vigorously for at least 15 seconds, covering all surfaces and fingers.
3. Scrub nails by rubbing them against the palms of your hands.
4. Rinse your hands with water.
5. Dry your hands thoroughly with a paper towel and use it to turn off the faucet. A shared towel will spread germs.
6. Apply alcohol-based hand sanitizer and rub it in well.

Recognize Pandemic Flu Symptoms
Watch for these symptoms:
> Fever
> Cough
> Runny nose
> Muscle pain
Call your health-care professional at the first sign of the flu. Many symptoms can be treated by the health-care professional over the telephone.

Monitor Pandemic Flu Symptoms
Keep a care log. Write down the date, time, fever, symptoms, medicines given and dosage. Make a new entry at least every 4 hours or when the symptoms change. Call your healthcare professional again if your loved one has:
> A high fever
- Children and Adults: Greater than 105°F (40.5°C)
- Babies 3- to 24-months-old: 103°F (39.4°C) or higher.
- Babies up to 3 months: Rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
> Shaking chills
> Coughing that produces thick mucus
> Dehydration (feeling of dry mouth or excessive thirst)
> Worsening of an existing serious medical condition (for example: heart or lung disease, diabetes, HIV, cancer)

Call 9-1-1 or local emergency number for any of the signs below, if you cannot reach your health-care professional:
> Irritability and/or confusion
> Difficult breathing or chest pain with each breath
> Bluish skin
> Stiff neck
> Inability to move an arm or leg
> First-time seizure

When a Household Member is Sick
The flu virus is spread when contaminated droplets exit the mouth and nose of an infected person and the virus comes in contact with others. So, follow these tips to protect yourself and others in your home:
> Keep everyone's personal items separate. All household members should avoid sharing computers, pens, papers, clothes, towels, sheets, blankets, food or eating utensils.
> Disinfect door knobs, switches, handles, toys and other surfaces that are commonly touched around the home or workplace.
> It is okay to wash everyone's dishes and clothes together. Use detergent and very hot water. Wash your hands after handling dirty laundry.
> Wear disposable gloves when in contact with or cleaning up body fluids.
> One person should be the caregiver. He or she may benefit by wearing a mask when giving care.

Click to download the Red Cross Pandemic Flu brochure.

For additional information, you may visit these websites:
National American Red Cross
www.redcross.org/pandemicflu

Department of Health and Human Services
www.pandemicflu.gov