Home Care is primarily common sense and TLC (tender loving care). Over-crowded hospitals frequently miss signs you quickly catch, so you might “fix” something before it gets critical – like, dehydration. When someone dies of “complications” from the flu, its generally from dehydration.
Caring for a flu patient is something everyone can do. Simply keep them clean, dry, warm, and drinking fluids. If someone has a fever, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, they lose LOTS of water, so getting enough water can save their life. This advice applies to any viral and bacterial illness. Signs of dehydration include:
- Weakness,
- Dizziness,
- Headache,
- Confusion,
- Dry mouth, decreased saliva,
- Very little urine (which is dark and highly concentrated),
- Sunken eyes, and
- Loss of skin elasticity,
Dehydration in a child happens faster. Initially, they may be cranky and irritable. As dehydration increases, they have very little energy, become “rag doll weak” and hard to wake up. Sunken eyes, dry nose or mouth, and no urination are bad signs. If the heart rate is fast, they have a glassy-eyed stare, and can’t focus or concentrate, it is a sign they are very sick and need fluids. Without fluids, it becomes almost impossible to lower a fever and they will go into shock and die. Most treatments and advice are good for adults and children, but the dose is different. So, a pediatrician’s advice takes precedence over any suggestion here.
Any flu patient should get lots of rest to help the body fight the virus, and be kept comfortable. Also:
- Provide plenty of fluids. This makes nasal mucous thinner, relieves stuffy noses, and soothes sore throats.
- Use a cool mist humidifier to reduce coughing, especially at night.
- For small children and infants, use a bulb syringe to remove nasal mucus. Older toddlers can blow their noses.
- For smaller children, raise the head of the crib to ease congestion and coughing.
As soon as a child becomes ill, push fluids as long as s/he has a fever, diarrhea, or is not eating. If they’re too weak to use a glass and straw, or squeeze bottle, try a baby bottle. If someone is too sick to drink, then spoon feed them and don’t stop until they can keep down at least a quart of fluids. Let them sleep a few hours and then get them to drink more. You know they’re getting better when they become more alert and begin urinating. Once well hydrated and eating, you can switch to juice, bouillon, or tea.
Until next week – Happy Health to you and loved ones!
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