Individuals and Families
With the recent declaration of a global pandemic, people are especially concerned with protecting themselves and their families from the spread of 2009 H1N1 and seasonal influenza alike. Having a Family Emergency Plan can help you prepare for these and many other types of emergencies or natural disasters that could affect your daily life.
Keeping your family healthy and practicing good health habits will limit the spread of viruses of all types, including influenza. Always remember to:
- Be aware of symptoms of influenza which generally include fever (over 100 degrees Fahrenheit) with cough and/or sore throat. Other symptoms may include runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
- If you are ill with influenza-like symptoms (fever and cough or sore throat), you should stay home and avoid contact with other people until you are free of fever for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications. Children also should not attend school or daycare until they are free of fever for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications.
- Avoid contact with people who appear to have these symptoms.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing. If using a tissue, discard it in a wastebasket immediately.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based waterless hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol).
- Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth to prevent the spread of disease.
- Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, exercise, eat nutritious foods and don’t smoke.
Click on any of the following to open an outside link for more H1N1 information:
Wisconsin’s Pandemic Flu Resource - Individual and Family Planning
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu): Resources for Parents and Caregivers
American Red Cross - Preparing for a Swine Flu (H1N1) Pandemic-Coping and Emotional Well Being
American Public Health Association - H1N1 Influenza: Information and Resources
World Health Organization - Pandemic (H1N1) 2009–Guidance for Individuals
General Pandemic Preparedness Information: Click on any of the following to open an outside link.
Pandemic Flu Resource Guide - A comprehensive guide to various aspects of H1N1 as well as pandemic flu in general. Topic areas include planning, general facts, caring for others, taking action, staying healthy and resources.
Wisconsin Pandemic Influenza Toolkit for Families - Comprehensive toolkit from the State of Wisconsin.
Ready America – General Preparedness information from Homeland Security to help your family prepare for all types of emergency situations including an influenza pandemic. Included here is how to stay informed about pandemic influenza, and recommended items for kits and plans.
American Public Health Association Get Ready Campaign - Provides information, resources and tools to help all individuals, families and communities prepare for a potential influenza pandemic or other hazard or disaster.
Set Your Clocks-Check Your Stocks - Comprehensive planning tool based on the idea of rechecking your emergency stockpile each time you set your clocks ahead or back. This toolkit includes information on preparing and rotating your stockpile of emergency supplies, food and water.
It’s not Flu as Usual, Individuals and Families - Downloadable brochure from the Trust for America’s Health, containing general information on Pandemic Flu, differences between annual and pandemic flu, the role of government, and steps you and your family can take now to prepare.
Some aspects to consider during your planning include:
- Businesses and schools may have to be shut down for a period of time
- Essential services, including sanitation, water, power and social services, may be interrupted
- Travel may be restricted
- Public gatherings may be cancelled
- Health care systems may become overwhelmed and experience shortages of supplies and medications
