Preventing Respiratory Infections at Home

Who May Be at Higher Risk

Older adults and people with heart disease, lung disease, cancer, diabetes, or weakened immune systems may be more likely to experience serious complications from respiratory infections.

Ways Families Can Reduce Respiratory Infection Risks

Families can reduce respiratory infection risks by cleaning hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, improving ventilation when possible, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, avoiding sharing cups and utensils, staying home when sick, limiting close contact with a vulnerable family member, and following current vaccination recommendations from healthcare providers.

Supplies to Keep Available at Home

Families may find it helpful to keep a thermometer, hand sanitizer, tissues, masks, cleaning supplies, a current medication list, contact information for the healthcare provider, and instructions for when to seek urgent care. CDC recommends providing tissues, masks, hand hygiene supplies, and instructional materials to support respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.

Managing Visitors Who Are Sick

Visitors who have a fever, cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, or other contagious symptoms should consider postponing the visit. When a visit cannot be postponed, families may consider keeping the visit brief, using a mask, maintaining distance, improving ventilation, avoiding physical contact, and cleaning hands before and after the visit.

Warning Signs to Report

Families should report new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest discomfort, fatigue, difficulty completing normal activities, or reduced oxygen readings when monitoring has been ordered. Severe breathing difficulty, bluish lips, chest pain, or unresponsiveness require emergency help.

Respiratory Infection-Prevention Support at Home

My Heart Care Services helps families build practical respiratory infection-prevention routines that fit the realities of care at home.