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Key prevention measures for individuals and communities 

Pandemic influenza prevention and mitigation courtesy of the

World Health Organization 

GUIDANCE NOTE 

The majority of influenza cases may be cared for at home with the simple 

supportive care.  

However, if there is deterioration or severe symptoms, then patients may 

need to access a health-care facility. 

These symptoms may include: weakness/not able to stand, lethargy, 

unconsciousness, convulsions, very difficult/obstructed breathing or 

shortness of breath, inability to drink fluids and dehydration, high fever. 

It is important that specific instructions are provided according to the local 

context. 

Steps for the community

Social distancing (keeping at least an arm's length distance from others, minimizing gatherings), 

respiratory etiquette (covering coughs and sneezes), hand hygiene, and household ventilation, 

are likely to be the most effective public health measures and are highly recommended. 

   

Once cases of pandemic influenza in a community are widespread, evidence and experience 

suggest that interventions to isolate patients and quarantine contacts would probably be ineffective, 

not a good use of limited health resources, and socially disruptive. 

 

Ill people should as far as possible be cared for at home by a designated caregiver (with appropriate 

home-care instructions communicated in advance) and advised not to attend health-care facilities 

unless they deteriorate or develop danger signs so as not to overwhelm health facilities  Supportive care entails bed rest, fluids, medication for fever, antibiotics if prescribed, and good nutrition. WHO recommends that mask use should be based on risk, including frequency of exposure and closeness of contact with potentially infectious people.

During a pandemic, very high numbers of patients presenting to the health-care facility 

will necessitate home treatment. Trusted community leaders should be identified in 

advance for crowd control at the health-care facility and to address concerns among 

health-seekers and their caregivers.  

Steps for the individual

 Ill people not exhibiting severe symptoms and signs of influenza should be encouraged 

(through health messaging) to stay at home, institute respiratory etiquette (cover coughs 

and sneezes or cough/sneeze into sleeve) and hand hygiene, and restrict close contact 

(within approximately 1m) with others as much as possible. 

Home confinement of ill people in crowded settings may not be practicable. However, 

restricting contact with others should be encouraged as much as possible. 

Adequate supervision within the household of the ill person should be ensured with 

preferably only one caregiver to limit potential exposure. 

Patients and caregivers should be trained to wear and dispose of masks during the 

infectious period of the patient, if supplies are available. Where supplies are limited, it is 

more important in the home that the patient wears the mask than the caregiver. The mask 

need not be worn all day and only when close contact (within approximately 1m) with the 

caregiver or others is anticipated. Masks should be disposed of safely if wet with 

secretions. Tightly-fitting scarves or a reusable mask made of cloth covering the mouth 

and nose could be used if masks are unavailable. They should be changed if wet and 

washed with soap and water. 

If enough masks are available, caregivers should also use them to cover their mouth and 

nose when in close contact with ill persons. The caregiver should always wash hands after patient contact. 

General support and advice should be given to caregivers on the use of antipyretics 

(acetylsalicylic acid should be avoided in children), oral fluids, nutrition and bed rest. 

Instructions must be provided on the use of antibiotics (if necessary) for bacterial 

complications of influenza when prescribed.  Instructions for further care in case of deterioration (if capacity exists) should be given (i.e. 

when there are symptoms of severe illness or dehydration – see guidance note below). 

Those who have recovered are no longer infectious and can be considered immune 

(usually 2–3 weeks after the onset of illness). Proper respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene must be promoted for all household members.  Keep windows open and allow ventilation of the room/tent. Household surfaces should be cleaned regularly with soap and water or disinfectant.