What Do I Do If I Come Down With The Flu?

This season's influenza outbreak is one of the worst in several years - according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  So - what do you do if you come down with the flu?

The Northland Chapter of the American Red Cross passes along these details.

• First, don't panic.  Contact your doctor to make a diagnosis.
• Designate one person as the caregiver in the home and have the other household members avoid close contact with them so that they won't get sick.
• Designate a sick room and have all members of the household who are in fact sick with the flu share that room - if possible.
• Supply the sick room with the necessary equipment.  Tissues.  A plastic-bag-lined trash can.  Alcohol-based hand rub.  A pitcher of water.  Thermometer.  A humidifier.  Facemasks.
• Give the sick person plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
• Treat fever and cough with over-the-counter medications.
• Keep the sick persons personal items separate from everyone else.
• Wash everyone's dishes in a dishwasher - or in hot, soapy water.
• Wash everyone's clothes in a standard washing machine with detergent and very hot water.  Tumble dry in a dryer with the hottest setting.  Wash hands after handling laundry.
• Wear disposable gloves when in contact with or cleaning up body fluids.