Reduce the Spread of Illness at Home

Simple steps can help prevent one person’s illness from becoming a full family event.

When one person in a household gets sick, it can be difficult to keep the illness from spreading to everyone else. Respiratory viruses such as influenza, COVID-19, and RSV can spread through the air and through close contact with an infected person. Germs can also spread through our hands after touching shared surfaces. Fortunately, families can help keep the illness from spreading throughout the household with a few simple steps.

Give the Sick Person Some Space

When possible, individuals with a respiratory infection should stay away from other household members, especially those at greater risk for serious illness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends staying home and away from others when experiencing respiratory-virus symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, or headache. Creating some distance within the home can also reduce exposure.

Complete separation may not always be practical, particularly for parents caring for sick children. The goal is simply to reduce unnecessary close contact when possible.

Wash Hands Often

Handwashing remains one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce germ spread.

Household members should wash their hands regularly with soap and water, particularly before touching their eyes, nose, or mouth and always before meals. They should also wash their hands after coughing, sneezing, and blowing their nose.

If you are caring for someone who is sick, wash your hands after contact with the individual, handling used utensils or tissues, or touching or cleaning common surfaces.

If soap and water are not available, the CDC recommends using a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

Pay Attention to the Air

Respiratory viruses can spread through the air, particularly indoors where air circulation may be limited.

Everyone should always cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of an elbow rather than their hands.

When weather conditions allow, open a window or door to bring fresh outdoor air into the home. Exhaust fans can also help improve airflow. Homes with portable air cleaners may benefit from using them in shared areas or in rooms where someone is recovering. Be sure to change or clean filters before and after this type of use.

The CDC identifies cleaner air as a core strategy for reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses.

Clean Frequently Touched Surfaces

When someone is sick, pay extra attention to frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, countertops, faucets, remote controls, and refrigerator handles.

Routine cleaning with soap or detergent removes many germs. Disinfecting may also be appropriate when someone in the home is sick. Always follow the directions on cleaning and disinfecting products and store them safely out of reach of children.

Protect People at Greater Risk

Extra precautions are especially important when the household includes older adults, very young children, people with weakened immune systems, or others at greater risk of serious illness.

Reducing close contact, improving ventilation, washing hands often, and wearing a well-fitting mask when appropriate can provide added protection.

People at increased risk of serious illness should contact their healthcare provider promptly if they develop symptoms. Treatments for respiratory illnesses often work best when started early.

Small Steps Can Make a Difference

It may not always be possible to prevent illness from spreading within a household. Family members share rooms, meals, and everyday responsibilities.

The Moultrie County Health Department reminds everyone that simple actions can lower the risk of a respiratory virus spreading throughout your household. Giving a sick person some space, washing hands regularly, covering coughs and sneezes, improving indoor airflow, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces can help protect others in your home.

For more information on preventing respiratory illness or to obtain information regarding vaccines against seasonal illnesses such as influenza,  COVID-19, or RSV, contact the Moultrie County Health Department.