Disease Prevention and Treatment print

DISEASE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF SYMPTOMS

To limit the spread of germs and prevent infection:

	Eat a well balanced diet.
	Drink plenty of fluids.
	Get plenty of sleep.
	Exercise.
	Clean hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
	Cough and sneeze into tissues or your elbow.
	Dispose of used tissues promptly and then clean your hands.
	Stay away from those who are sick.
	Do not shake hands.
	Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth to avoid infecting yourself.
	Wear a surgical mask around others, if desired.
	Stay at least 3 feet away from others outside your home.

To limit the spread of germs and prevent infection when a household member is sick:

	Keep the sick household member home from work and/or school.
	Follow the previous prevention habits in addition to the following tips.
	Avoid sharing anything including pens, towels, sheets, food, and eating utensils.
	Disinfect door knobs, switches, handles, telephones, toys and other surfaces commonly touched with disinfectant wipes, cleaners, or bleach solution.
	Disinfecting bleach solution for hard non-porous surfaces: 3/4 cup bleach in one gallon of water. Allow 5 minute contact time. Rinse food contact surfaces such as kitchen counters and tables with potable water. Make a new solution each day.
	Wear disposable gloves when in contact with or cleaning up body fluids.

To treat fever:

	Loosen or remove clothing.
	Sponge or bathe the person in cool water.
	Give acetaminophen in the correct amount.
	Give liquids often.

To treat a sore throat:

	Gargle with warm salt water once each hour. Dissolve 1 teaspoon salt in 1 cup warm water.
	Drink hot drinks or soups. Be cautious not to make it hot enough to burn.
	Slowly suck on throat lozenges or hard candy.

To treat a dry cough:

	Drink a mixture of honey and hot water or lemon juice. Do not give to infants less than 1 year old.
	Slowly suck on cough drops or hard candy.
	Drink plenty of water.
	Use a cough suppressant only if the cough is preventing sleep.

Watch for signs of dehydration anytime there is an illness that causes high fever, vomiting or diarrhea and begin treatment immediately. Signs of dehydration:

Severe thirst

Dry mouth and sticky saliva

Doughy skin

Sunken eyes

Dizziness or lightheadedness

No tears

Irritability

Tiredness or weakness

Dark yellow urine

Convulsions or seizures

Little or no urine for 8 hours

Rapid loss of weight

To treat dehydration, stop fluid loss and gradually replace lost fluids.

	Do not eat any solid foods for several hours after vomiting or diarrhea begins. Take small, very frequent sips of water or a rehydration drink during the first 24 hours.
	When vomiting or diarrhea is controlled, drink water, broth or rehydration drinks in small amounts until the stomach can handle more. Drinking too much too soon can cause vomiting to recur.
	For infants and children younger than 4 years old, begin giving small amounts of a children’s rehydration drink as soon as vomiting or diarrhea begins.
	Feed small children slowly, preferably with a teaspoon. Children under age two should have 1/4 to 1/2 cup each feeding. Feed after each episode of diarrhea. Older children should be fed 1/2 to 1 cup each feeding.
	If children will not drink the rehydration drink because it is too salty, either add a small amount of sugar free flavored gelatin or reduce the salt so that the solution is no saltier than tears.
	Rehydration drinks will help the body recover faster than plain water. Sugar is vital for the absorption of the mineral salts but too much sugar can actually contribute to diarrhea. Sodium and potassium are necessary for electrolyte balance in the body but too much salt can cause convulsions in extreme cases. Baking soda (a bicarbonate) will aid in restoring the pH balance in the body. Be sure to make homemade solutions with exactness.
	Adults and large children should drink at least 3 quarts of rehydration drink a day until they are well.
	When the patient is able to eat, begin with the foods listed in the Supplies and Medications chart. Avoid spicy, fatty, high fiber, or very sweet foods for 3 days after vomiting and/or diarrhea end.

REFERENCES:
PandemicFlu.gov http://www.pandemicflu.gov
Benson Institute http://benson.byu.edu
MayoClinic.com http://www.mayoclinic.com
Kaiser Permanente http://www.permanente.net
Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine http://www.oism.org
Rehydration Project http://rehydrate.org
American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org