Respiratory Viruses: Caring for Someone

Complete a daily symptom check for your child. Keep your child home if they have symptoms, even mild ones, and until they are feeling better and pass the daily Self-Screening Questionnaire.

Here are some ways to provide care and support for a sick child:

• Offer them plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration (lack of fluids in the body).
• Encourage them to rest and offer them their favorite books, games, music, or movies.
• Have your child wear layered clothing that are easy to put on and take off during chills or fever.
• Treat fever and pain with medications  when needed.
• Use a humidifier to help with a stuffy nose.
• Monitor symptoms and contact a healthcare provider if they are getting worse.

Speak to a healthcare provider or call 811 (Health Connect Ontario) if you have questions about your child’s health.

Seek medical attention if your child has any of the following:

• Is under 3 months of age with a fever or trouble breathing
• Fever that lasts more than 7 days
• Bluish skin colour
• Not drinking enough fluid
• Not waking up
• Fever with a rash
• Constant vomiting or diarrhea
• Has a weak immune system and has a fever

Learn more about how to prevent further spread of respiratory viruses.

Anyone 6 months and older should stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including a fall booster for anyone 5 years of age and older. Anyone 6 months and older can safely get their COVID-19 booster and other vaccines at the same time. Make sure that your child has finished their isolation before getting vaccinated.

Resource

• Looking After Yourself and Your family During COVID-19 Self-Isolation  
• Respiratory Viruses: Information for parents and caregivers
• Navigating colds, flu, and kids: Don’t rush to antibiotics 
• Caring for your child with respiratory illness 
• Family Doctor Tips on Caring for Children with Respiratory Symptoms 
• RSV fact sheet  (also available in French )
• Visit Ontario College of Physician’s Respiratory Infections webpage  for resources on Infant and Children’s Acetaminophen & Ibuprofen Shortage Options

If you are caring for or living with someone who has a respiratory illness, such as COVID-19 and the flu, follow these steps to reduce the spread of illness at home:

Clean your hands often

• Wash your hands with soap and water for 15 seconds after being in contact with the person who has symptoms and throughout the day.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available.

Wear a mask, gloves and eye protection

• Wear a high quality well-fitted mask when you are caring for someone with symptoms. Encourage the person with symptoms to wear a mask, if possible (do not put masks on children under two years old).
• Use gloves and eye protection if you have contact with the person’s body fluids (e.g. blood, saliva, vomit, urine or feces).
• After providing care, take off your gloves before removing your eye protection and mask. Clean your hands after taking off each item.
• Place disposable used items in a garbage bin lined with a plastic bag, and clean your hands after handling garbage.

Limit interactions with the sick person

• Limit visitors to those who are essential (e.g. support or home care professionals) and keep visits short
• Have the person with symptoms self-isolate as much as possible, especially from people who are at high-risk of serious illness from respiratory viruses
• As much as possible, keep a physical distance from all others in the household
• Avoid sleeping in the same bed as your sick child

Avoid sharing

• Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding or other items with the person who has symptoms.
• All items should be washed between each use.

Household cleaning

• Clean & disinfect frequently-touched items, including countertops, light switches, toilets, faucets, and doorknobs.
• After use, items should be washed with liquid soap or detergent in warm water. Dishwashers and washing machines can be used.
• Items used by the person with symptoms can be washed with other items.
• Regular household cleaners or detergents can be used. Choose a cleaning product that cleans and disinfects. Follow product instructions.

Improve ventilation and air flow

• Increase natural air flow by opening windows if it is safe to do so, using portable fans or ceiling fans
• Use and maintain HVAC systems or use portable air cleaners, if possible, and keep vents clear from items
• Learn more about improving ventilation and air flow.

Check for symptoms

• Complete the daily Self-Screening Questionnaire, and follow instructions if you develop any symptoms of illness, even if mild.
• Have all household members take the Ontario Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Self-Assessment  for recommendations on what to do next as a close contact/living in the same house as someone who is sick.

Resources

• Looking After Yourself and Your family During COVID-19 Self-Isolation 
• Read the Public Health Ontario guide