Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza

D. If an infected person is being cared for in the household

All of the general measures outlined in Part 2, Section B above should be employed by all household members when an infected person is in home isolation. Infected people may be offered treatment with antivirals if:

• they are the appropriate age—antivirals are not always suitable for certain age groups (e.g. infants)
• they can commence the antiviral course within an appropriate timeframe (antivirals are most effective if started within 48 hours from the onset of symptoms)
• there are antiviral stocks available.

Household members may be offered antiviral prophylaxis which aims to prevent them becoming infected.

Everyone in the household should clean their hands with soap and water or use an alcohol hand rub regularly (even if hands are not visibly dirty) as it is critical to reducing the risk of spreading the infection. Commonly touched surfaces such as taps, doorknobs, tables, kettle handles and fridge door handles should be cleaned frequently with normal household detergents. Infected persons personal items should be kept separate and not shared (see Box 13).

People should not share cups or utensils. Soiled dishes and eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with warm water and soap. After utensils have been washed in this manner, they may be used by others.

Infected persons towels and bedding should not be shared. Laundry may be washed in a standard washing machine with warm water and detergent. Care should be taken when handling soiled laundry to avoid direct contact of skin or clothing with contaminated material. Soiled laundry should not be shaken or otherwise handled in a manner that may aerosolize infectious particles. After laundry has been cleaned in this manner it may be used by others.

Box 13: Why hand hygiene and environmental cleaning is so important When a person with the flu breathes, coughs or sneezes they can spread the flu virus from their respiratory tract. Droplets from the respiratory tract carrying the virus can spread up to a metre and land on surfaces, onto floors, tables and benches. If the sick person sneezes or coughs onto their hands and then they touch household items, these items can also become contaminated. The virus can probably only survive on hands for 30 minutes, but it can survive on some surfaces for longer—up to 48 hours. A household member can catch the flu if they touch a contaminated surface or household item, and then touch their eyes, mouth or nose without first cleaning their hands. This is why it is so important that when someone in your household has the flu: they clean their hands regularly all other household members also clean their hands regularly the household environment is regularly cleaned.

If an infected person is being cared for at home, they should have an individual room if possible. The infected person should wear a surgical mask for at least 48 hours from the time of diagnosis. All household members should wear a surgical mask for at least the same period. They should avoid touching their eyes, mouth or nose. It may be difficult for some infected people for example, children and the elderly, to wear a mask properly. In these situations, it is especially important that carers and other contacts in the household wear a mask for at least 48 hours from the time the infected person was diagnosed.

Household contacts should be advised to take their own temperature daily and to contact health authorities if they develop influenza-like symptoms. They may need to go to a flu service for further assessment. Arrangements will be advised at the time.

Non-household members should not enter a quarantined household. You might warn expected guests by telephone that they should not visit you while the household is in quarantine.

Home based support may be provided to those in isolation or quarantine. In a pandemic, contact your state and territory health department information hotline for further details.

The Australian Government Disaster Assist website has been set up by the Australian Government to give individuals and families better access to information about recovery assistance following a disaster. The website, www.disasterassist.gov.au, contains information on how to look after yourself and support others in coping with a disaster situation which may be useful in a pandemic.

The measures that a contact can take to prevent transmission are outlined in Box 14.

Box 14: Measures contacts of infectious people should take to prevent transmission If identified as a contact: Stay at home in quarantine (if you need to seek medical care, call ahead for advice). If provided with antiviral medication, ensure you complete the course as instructed. Monitor your health and take your body temperature every day. If you have a temperature or feel unwell, report your symptoms. Respect and protect other people by: wearing a surgical mask when in the company of others not going to work not travelling on public transport not attending public gatherings maintaining good personal hygiene and cough etiquette. Advice will be provided at the time about when contacts can return to normal activities and when these measures can be ceased.

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This information is current for 03 September, 2010
This information was issued on 05 December, 2008