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keep the sick person away from other people as much as possible

remind the sick person to cover their coughs and sneezes

have everyone in the household clean their hands often

ask your healthcare provider if others in your household – particularly those who are pregnant or have serious health conditions - should take antiviral medications.

Keep the sick person in a room separate from the common areas of the house and keep the sickroom door closed.

Keep the sick person home unless they must go out for medical care. This will lessen the chance of spreading the virus to others.

If people with influenza need to leave the home for medical care they should cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.

If you have some, the sick person could use a mask to help contain the spread of droplets when they leave the home for medical care or are around others. However, the mask must be used correctly - see the World Health Organization's advice on the use of masks in the community setting in Influenza.

If possible, sick people should use a separate bathroom. This bathroom should be cleaned daily with household disinfectant.

If possible, have only one adult in the home take care of the sick person.

Avoid having pregnant women care for the sick person. Pregnant women are at increased risk of influenza-related complications and can have less immunity during pregnancy.

Everyone in the household should clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub frequently, including after every contact with the sick person or the person’s room or bathroom.

Use paper towels for drying hands after hand washing or dedicate cloth towels to each person in the household.

make sure you get enough rest yourself

eat regularly

drink fluids regularly

exercise daily

do not sleep in the same room as a sick person.

Avoid being face-to-face with the sick person.

When holding small children who are sick, place their chin on your shoulder so that they will not cough in your face.

Clean your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub after you touch the sick person or handle used tissues or laundry.

If you must have close contact with the sick person, spend the least amount of time possible with them. Consider wearing a properly-fitted face mask however ensure you follow the World Health Organization's advice on the use of masks in the community setting in Influenza (H1N1) outbreaks (www.who.int). Do not re-use disposable facemasks.

Monitor yourself and household members for influenza symptoms and contact Healthline on 0800 611 116, or your health care provider, if symptoms become serious.

care for the child in a separate, well-ventilated room away from other members of the household

give paracetamol or ibuprofen every four to six hours (for ibuprofen) for fever in the dose recommended on the package (unless your doctor says otherwise). (Do not give medication containing aspirin to children under 14.)

offer cool fluids frequently, including water, fruit juice and milk. If the child is drowsy or not responding well, do not attempt to give fluids; instead, seek medical or nursing advice immediately

dress the child in lightweight clothing

give a lukewarm bath or shower. (Do not give cold baths or showers, which can be unpleasant and distressing for the child, and does not lower body temperature.)

use salt-water drops (saline) to treat a stuffy nose

keep the child at home and resting until they can no longer pass on the virus.

Breathing is fast or noisy, possibly with wheezing or grunting

Area below ribs sucks inward (instead of expanding as normal) as baby breathes in

Has blue lips

Is limp or unable to move

Is drowsy or difficult to wake

Is severely irritable

Has a seizure (convulsion/fit)

Is not drinking enough fluids, the nappies remain dry or there are fewer than four wet nappies in 24 hours

Any of these symptoms improve and then suddenly become worse.

Breathing is fast or noisy, possibly with wheezing or grunting

Area below ribs sucks inward (instead of expanding as normal) as young child breathes in

Has bluish or dark-coloured lips or skin, particularly on fingers and toes

It is difficult or impossible to wake your child, they are very drowsy

Severely irritable, not wanting to be held

Not drinking enough fluids

Not passing urine regularly (about every 6 hours when awake is normal)

Symptoms improve and then suddenly become worse

Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by the sick person. Wash your hands after touching used tissues and similar waste.

Keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant.

Linen, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but should not be shared without washing them thoroughly first.

Wash linen (such as bed sheets and towels) by using household laundry soap and, if possible, tumble dry them on a hot setting. Clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub right after handling dirty laundry.

Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with hot water and soap.