Well, it’s flu season and everyone I know seems to be catching it. If you start to feel sick (sore throat, extra tired and weak), start taking medicine and vitamins (e.g. Vitamin C, zinc), and drink plenty of fluids (water, hot honey lemon ginger tea). Gargle salt water. Take a day or two off work to rest. Stay in bed but also try to step outside and get a dose of fresh air and sunlight. Make sure you eat something, even if it’s the last thing you want to do. The sooner you start treating your illness, the sooner you’ll recover. And remember to do your coworkers a favor and don’t go to work if you’re coughing and sneezing all over the place. Also, I don’t know if it’s true or not but last week my massage therapist told me a massage will intensify/worsen your symptoms but shorten the duration of your cold or flu.
Now, on to the point of this post…
If someone else you know is sick, then read on for tips on how to provide proper care for them at home.
Basic tips:
- Know the difference between the cold and the flu. Treat accordingly.
Flu or cold? (article) http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/cold-guide/flu-cold-symptoms
- Bring them easy-to-digest food, medicine, and plenty of water. Don’t wait for them to ask you.
- If they refuse to eat, try feeding it to them.
- A straw or bottle makes it easier to drink water when you’re feeling weak. Help them hold up the cup.
- Keep track of the medicine they’re taking throughout the day, including their regular prescriptions. Make sure they are taking it on time.
- Keep track of their temperature to make sure they don’t have a fever. If they do, give them the proper medicine and bring them a cool damp towel to wipe their forehead and back of the neck.
- Put a trash can next to them if they are nauseous feel like throwing up.
- Make sure they are warm. Bring them more blankets if needed. Or bring them a hot water bottle (if you don’t have one of these, fill a plastic soda or water bottle with hot/very warm water and screw the lid on tightly).
- Bring them Kleenex if they have a runny nose.
- Rub Vick’s Vaporub or something menthol-y on their throat and chest if they are congested or have a cough.
- Throat numbing sprays are good for sore throat or an uncontrollable cough that keeps you up all night.
Food and drinks:
- Ginger tea (add lemon, honey, and/or garlic if desired) helps if they have a sore throat or cough.
- Powerade, Gatorade, or Ginger Ale to replenish fluids and electrolytes, especially if they are throwing up or have diarrhea. For kids, give Pedialyte. Ginger ale is also known to help with nausea, digestion, and cramps. Note that too much sugar can worsen diarrhea though.
- Chicken noodle soup (chicken, carrot, celery, onion, broth, salt, pepper), rice porridge (rice, water, optional: salt, ginger, scallion), oatmeal porridge (oats, water, salt, egg mixed in; optional: small pieces of pork), rice noodles (rice noodles, broth), or something else that’s warm, simple, and easy to eat and digest.
- Crackers are a good food to eat, especially after throwing up because they can absorb excess stomach acids.
- Bananas help if you are suffering from nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Popsicles are good for getting your needed liquids when you don’t want to swallow. The coldness is also good for sore throats.
Most importantly…
- Check up on them every couple of hours. Call them on the phone if you’re not physically there. Make sure they’ve been eating, drinking, and taking their medicine.
- Take them to the hospital if there are no signs of getting better, or if they show extreme symptoms.
- Call their doctor, or the advice nurse (they are available to give advice over the phone 24/7)
And if the person has diabetes…
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/diabetes/index.htm
If they have asthma…
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/asthma/index.htm
If they have a thyroid disorder…
http://thyroid.about.com/od/relatedconditions1/a/flu-thyroid-information.htm
If they have heart disease or have had a stroke…
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/heartdisease/index.htm
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/heart-disease-and-flu
Other high risk people…
This includes children, those over age 65, pregnant women, those with cancer, HIV, and AIDS, and those with other medical conditions. Read more at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/high_risk.htm
Warning about cold/flu medicines and those with medical conditions: READ THE LABELS! Those with special health concerns should avoid cold and flu medicines that contain decongestants and stimulants, which interfere with medications, elevate blood pressure levels, and cause all kinds of other undesirable problems.
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