When a family member comes down with influenza, also known as the flu, it is often the case that unaffected members just continue on with their daily routine.
However, it’s crucial for families to recognise that the influenza virus can easily spread, and even pose risks to certain people within the family.
We need to equip ourselves with knowledge on the preventive measures required to protect our family from this infectious disease.
How does it spread?
To understand why it’s important to prevent the spread of influenza in our homes, and how we can do so, we must first know how the virus spreads.
The influenza virus mainly spreads through respiratory droplets.
When an infected person coughs or sneezes, they release respiratory droplets that carry the virus.
These droplets can then get inhaled by another person and infect them too.
Another way the virus can spread is by touching surfaces in our homes (like doorknobs, light switches and kitchen counters) that have been contaminated with respiratory secretions from an infected individual.
If a person touches these surfaces, and then touches their mouth or nose, the virus can enter their body and infect them too.
Why is prevention important?
In Asian countries, the presence of multigenerational families and households is common (i.e. a household containing grandparents, parents and children).
This can have major healthcare implications, as a single household can contain numerous vulnerable individuals who are likely to develop severe disease, require hospitalisation, or even be at high risk of death.
Examples of those at high risk are:
- Young children below five years old (and especially those below two years old)
- Elderly individuals above the age of 65
- Individuals with chronic conditions (e.g. asthma, chronic lung disease or with weakened immune systems).
Influenza may cause severe complications in these vulnerable groups.
For example, elderly people may suffer from complications such as pneumonia, ear infections, inflammation of the heart or brain, and worsening of existing chronic conditions.
Therefore, it is important for families to take extra precautions when there is a confirmed case of influenza within the household, to prevent the virus from spreading and putting their loved ones at risk.Tips for prevention
Here are some tips to reduce the spread of influenza once a family member has been infected:
Especially for the infected individual, ensure that you cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
This can be done either with the inside of the elbow, a tissue or a handkerchief, or by using a face mask.
Used face masks and tissues must be discarded and disposed of properly.
Regardless if you are the infected individual or not, you should wash your hands using water and soap regularly.
And you should definitely do this after coughing or sneezing, or before touching your face.
In addition to this, you may use alcohol-based hand sanitisers to kill the germs on your skin.
This can be achieved by creating a “sick room”, where the infected individuals can spend most of their time and which the healthy members of the household should try to avoid entering.
This is meant to reduce the amount of close contact between healthy family members and the infected individual.
Make sure to regularly wash, disinfect or sanitise high-touch surfaces around the house.
This can include, for example, light switches, bathroom surfaces, door knobs and kitchen counters.
This is important as influenza viruses can survive up to 48 hours on these surfaces.
Refrain from sharing cutlery, plates, cups and other kitchen items with those who are infected.
And wash the items that they use thoroughly with water and soap.
One of the best preventive measures we have to protect against influenza is vaccination.
It is recommended that family members get their influenza shot annually, especially those who are considered at high risk (e.g. young children, elderly or those with existing chronic conditions).
In Malaysia, the influenza shot can be given as early as six months of age.
In conclusion, it is important for families to be aware of the dangers of flu infections within the household.
Taking proper preventive steps when someone is infected and implementing measures to prevent infection in the first place are essential for protecting the wellbeing of everyone at home.
Dr Shalini Shanmugam is a consultant paediatrician. This article is courtesy of the Malaysian Paediatric Association’s Positive Parenting programme in collaboration with expert partners. For further information, please email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
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