Content on this page was developed during the 2009-2010 H1N1 pandemic and has not been updated.
- The H1N1 virus that caused that pandemic is now a regular human flu virus and continues to circulate seasonally worldwide.
- The English language content on this website is being archived for historic and reference purposes only.
- For current, updated information on seasonal flu, including information about H1N1, see the CDC Seasonal Flu website.
Download & print this entire guideCaring for Someone Sick at Home
Make a Separate Sick Room, if You Can
December 5, 2009, 6:00 AM ET
Keeping the person with flu in a separate sick room can help keep others in the family from getting the flu.
Take These Steps to Create a Separate Sick Room:
- Try to give the sick person their own room. If there is more than one sick person, they can share the sick room if needed.
- If you have more than one bathroom, have sick people use one bathroom and well people use the other one.
- Give each sick person their own drinking glass, washcloth, and towel.
Have These Items in the Sick Room
- Tissues
- Trash can with lid and lined with a plastic trash bag
- Alcohol-based hand rub
Cooler or pitcher with ice and drinks - Cup with straw or squeeze bottle to help with drinking
- Thermometer
- Humidifier (A machine that puts tiny drops of water into the air. This extra moisture can make it easier for the sick person to breathe.)
- Facemasks (Sick people should wear a facemask if available when they leave the sick room or are around other people.)
About Medicines in the Sick Room
- Store all medicines out of reach of children. If you have no young children in the home, place medicines for adults in the sick room.
- Write down medicine dose and when doses are needed.
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