fruit loop
Inactive
Reprinted. Mods, delete if inappropriate
PREP 101: Part 14, Flu/Illness Preps
________________________________________
This is a plan I used as a single person through several bouts of flu and pneumonia. I had no one to stay and care for me and during several battles with these bugaboos could barely stand. This might be useful during a pandemic or just a nasty round of flu. Can be adapted to fit multiple people, especially if the primary caregivers themselves fall ill.
DISCLAIMER: During a bout of "Bird Flu" ie, a "Superflu" you're going to need antiviral meds and more support....but this might aid in nursing.
Remember that flu is a virus and antibiotics aren't going to help. Your body must cure the illness itself via your immune system. Keep in mind that most people recover quickly from influenza and you aren't going to die....you just wish you would. The big danger is to young children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems. The odds are quite good that you'll recover fully within a couple of weeks...which may or may not be a comforting thought while it's going on.
Well. Moving right along.
The flu comes on suddenly, but you should have a day or at least several hours before you must take to your bed. This is what you'll need...and these items should already be part of your prep stock. If not, shop for them NOW.
Pick out your sickroom, which may or may not be your bedroom. Consider your needs: you'll need to cook and get to the bathroom. Which room is most vital, and which is closest? During one severe bout of flu, I lived in a townhouse with the bathroom upstairs and the kitchen downstairs. I chose to reside upstairs for the duration of my illness so I could have the toilet and shower close by. The bathroom is also a source of drinking water.
Prepare your bed. Keep extra blankets nearby for chills, and clean sheets. I suggest NOT making up the bed as usual: don't tuck in the sheets, etc. Lay the clean sheets on top so that you can simply pull or push them off when you need a change of linen. Simply unfold the clean sheets and lay them on the mattress. Remember that you're going to be weak, and even simple tasks such as making up the bed can sap a lot of energy.
Have clean underwear/nightwear next to the sheets and blankets so you can change quickly and easily.
On your bedside table, lay out your fever-reducing meds (aspirin FOR ADULTS ONLY, tylenol, ibuprofen) and your cold meds. I highly recommend Contac's Severe Cold and Flu formula and Theraflu (which tastes terrible; add a teaspoon of honey or sugar). Nose spray if you use it, lip balm for dry lips and cold sores, lotion for fever-dry skin, your boxes of tissues and some baby wipes (these are great for quick clean ups, or to freshen up if you become to weak to shower). Also have a clock and a pad of paper. This is to help you keep track of when you took your meds, which can quickly become a blur due to the drowsiness many of them cause and the disorientation caused by fever.
Put the PHONE nearby. Suggest having a buddy system with a trusted friend. Notify this person that you are ill, and arrange to have them call you at predetermined times. This person will know that if you don't answer at the proper time, something is wrong and it's time to send the paramedics to your house.
You will also need a 32 gallon trash can. This is to hold all the trash that you will accumulate during your illness. You may wish to have a second one, or at least a large laundry hamper, next to it for your dirty clothing and linens.
Chamber pot and toilet paper: Have this next to or near the bed in the event that you become to weak to make it to the bathroom. Get a large orange drywall bucket from Home Depot. Double-line it with the trash bags, and cover the bottom with kitty litter. After use, sprinkle in a fresh layer of kitty litter.Some camping stores even sell toilet seats that fit the drywall buckets!
Trash bags: for the chamber pot if you need to change it, and in case you need to vomit. used ones, filled with trash, go in the big trash can.
DINING: Remember, again this assumes that you have prepped for your illness and that these items are already in your kitchen ready to go.
Bring the microwave out of the kitchen and put it on your dresser, or someplace near your bed. Put your paper plates, cups, and plastic silverware next to it. If you have an ice chest, this should be nearby. I have the Coleman Extreme Ice Chest, which keeps ice for up to five days in 90 degree plus weather. I kept my juice, water, etc in it.
FOOD TO STOCK: Canned soups, bouillon cubes, canned pudding, bottled fruit juice or juice boxes, hot tea, sodas, crackers, powdered cocoa mix, whatever turns you on that you think you can eat.
Books, the tv, whatever for amusement if you feel up to it.
My bed is in the middle of my room. I had my nightstand for my meds and the phone. Next to that was my pile of extra blankets, then my stack of clean sheets. Then my stack of clean clothes, the chamber pot and its supplies, then the big trash can.
On the other side of the bed is my dresser. That's where I put the microwave and the foodstuffs and the ice box.
Note that all this allowed me to use the toilet, access my meds, change into fresh nightgowns, change my sweat-stained sheets, and cook and eat with a journey from my bed of only a few feet.
Hope this helps someone.
PREP 101: Part 14, Flu/Illness Preps
________________________________________
This is a plan I used as a single person through several bouts of flu and pneumonia. I had no one to stay and care for me and during several battles with these bugaboos could barely stand. This might be useful during a pandemic or just a nasty round of flu. Can be adapted to fit multiple people, especially if the primary caregivers themselves fall ill.
DISCLAIMER: During a bout of "Bird Flu" ie, a "Superflu" you're going to need antiviral meds and more support....but this might aid in nursing.
Remember that flu is a virus and antibiotics aren't going to help. Your body must cure the illness itself via your immune system. Keep in mind that most people recover quickly from influenza and you aren't going to die....you just wish you would. The big danger is to young children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems. The odds are quite good that you'll recover fully within a couple of weeks...which may or may not be a comforting thought while it's going on.
Well. Moving right along.
The flu comes on suddenly, but you should have a day or at least several hours before you must take to your bed. This is what you'll need...and these items should already be part of your prep stock. If not, shop for them NOW.
Pick out your sickroom, which may or may not be your bedroom. Consider your needs: you'll need to cook and get to the bathroom. Which room is most vital, and which is closest? During one severe bout of flu, I lived in a townhouse with the bathroom upstairs and the kitchen downstairs. I chose to reside upstairs for the duration of my illness so I could have the toilet and shower close by. The bathroom is also a source of drinking water.
Prepare your bed. Keep extra blankets nearby for chills, and clean sheets. I suggest NOT making up the bed as usual: don't tuck in the sheets, etc. Lay the clean sheets on top so that you can simply pull or push them off when you need a change of linen. Simply unfold the clean sheets and lay them on the mattress. Remember that you're going to be weak, and even simple tasks such as making up the bed can sap a lot of energy.
Have clean underwear/nightwear next to the sheets and blankets so you can change quickly and easily.
On your bedside table, lay out your fever-reducing meds (aspirin FOR ADULTS ONLY, tylenol, ibuprofen) and your cold meds. I highly recommend Contac's Severe Cold and Flu formula and Theraflu (which tastes terrible; add a teaspoon of honey or sugar). Nose spray if you use it, lip balm for dry lips and cold sores, lotion for fever-dry skin, your boxes of tissues and some baby wipes (these are great for quick clean ups, or to freshen up if you become to weak to shower). Also have a clock and a pad of paper. This is to help you keep track of when you took your meds, which can quickly become a blur due to the drowsiness many of them cause and the disorientation caused by fever.
Put the PHONE nearby. Suggest having a buddy system with a trusted friend. Notify this person that you are ill, and arrange to have them call you at predetermined times. This person will know that if you don't answer at the proper time, something is wrong and it's time to send the paramedics to your house.
You will also need a 32 gallon trash can. This is to hold all the trash that you will accumulate during your illness. You may wish to have a second one, or at least a large laundry hamper, next to it for your dirty clothing and linens.
Chamber pot and toilet paper: Have this next to or near the bed in the event that you become to weak to make it to the bathroom. Get a large orange drywall bucket from Home Depot. Double-line it with the trash bags, and cover the bottom with kitty litter. After use, sprinkle in a fresh layer of kitty litter.Some camping stores even sell toilet seats that fit the drywall buckets!
Trash bags: for the chamber pot if you need to change it, and in case you need to vomit. used ones, filled with trash, go in the big trash can.
DINING: Remember, again this assumes that you have prepped for your illness and that these items are already in your kitchen ready to go.
Bring the microwave out of the kitchen and put it on your dresser, or someplace near your bed. Put your paper plates, cups, and plastic silverware next to it. If you have an ice chest, this should be nearby. I have the Coleman Extreme Ice Chest, which keeps ice for up to five days in 90 degree plus weather. I kept my juice, water, etc in it.
FOOD TO STOCK: Canned soups, bouillon cubes, canned pudding, bottled fruit juice or juice boxes, hot tea, sodas, crackers, powdered cocoa mix, whatever turns you on that you think you can eat.
Books, the tv, whatever for amusement if you feel up to it.
My bed is in the middle of my room. I had my nightstand for my meds and the phone. Next to that was my pile of extra blankets, then my stack of clean sheets. Then my stack of clean clothes, the chamber pot and its supplies, then the big trash can.
On the other side of the bed is my dresser. That's where I put the microwave and the foodstuffs and the ice box.
Note that all this allowed me to use the toilet, access my meds, change into fresh nightgowns, change my sweat-stained sheets, and cook and eat with a journey from my bed of only a few feet.
Hope this helps someone.
