Preparing for Pandemic Flu:
Lessons from a Pneumonia Incident

• Seek medical care early and complete the prescribed treatment.
• Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night; nap and rest when needed during the day.
• Drink plenty of fluids; take them with you when away from home.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Wash hands often or use hand sanitizers.
• Reduce or avoid strenuous activity until completely recovered.
• Don’t try to resume a normal routine too soon, even if you feel better.
• Social distancing is important in all phases of recovery. A new illness before complete recovery could be deadly.
• Caregivers should also avoid outside contact that would introduce additional disease to the patient.
• Distancing within the home helps avoid infecting others in the house. This could include sleeping alone and/or staying alone in a bedroom during the course of the illness.
• Carry hand sanitizer with you in public places.
• Avoid others who are coughing and sneezing.
• Carry a surgical mask to use when being in large groups or around sick people is unavoidable.
• Make a plan for recovery and avoiding additional illness; stick with it!
• Have on hand:
          Medicinal teas
          Drinking water
          Nutritious drinks
          Vitamins
          Cough drops
          Cough and expectorant medicine
          Surgical masks
          Anti-bacterial wipes
          Hand sanitizer
          Soap
          Facial tissue