IN recent weeks, many people have been suffering from very bad coughs, cold and influenza. Could it be the weather? Is the haze back? Perhaps a bug is making its rounds, striking those whose immune system is low.
Whatever it may be, there are a few things we should keep in mind. As caregivers, when you see cases such as these, you may want to be more careful about bringing your charges to public places, especially enclosed areas such as malls, restaurants and cinemas. They may be more susceptible to infections if exposed to areas with infected people.
Many people with coughs, cold and flu still go to public places. They may be there because they couldn’t get medical leave or just don’t want to miss work and friends. The situation is made worse when they don’t cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing.
I have seen once too often how people freely cough and sneeze without a second thought, whether they’re talking to you, having a meal, buying food or just passing by. It’s no fun to have someone cough in your face. It is disgusting, and shows careless disregard for others.
Some people have even told me that what they have is not contagious, so it’s ok to cough and sneeze with abandon without covering their nose and mouth, regardless of whether they’re at the dining table or not.
To me, hygiene is paramount. It doesn’t matter if you’re contagious or not. Coughing and sneezing sprays minute droplets of saliva. According to WedMD, sneezes travel at 160km per hour. A single sneeze can send 100,000 germs into the air. Flu germs can spread up to two metres through coughs and sneezes.
That’s why you need to cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing. Don’t do it into your bare hands. Use tissue paper and not a handkerchief to cover your mouth and nose and throw it away after each use. Do not leave those tissues lying around, that’s just gross. Wash your hands with soap after that. Carry a hand sanitiser when you’re having a bout of infection.
You can also sneeze or cough into your sleeve. Apparently, germs caught in fabric will dry out and die. If you think that’s disgusting, how do you feel about sneezing into bare hands and then touching doorknobs, food or other things? We should practise good cough and sneeze etiquette and social distancing. If you’re sick, stay home, rest and get well. We all know that phrase “prevention is better than cure”— it’s time to put it into practice.
All schools should send sick children home, not just for that child to rest and recover but also to prevent him or her from infecting other children. It is one thing for other children to get sick; teachers can get sick too, and when they do, their class will be one teacher less.
What about caregivers? If they were down with illness, you’d have a hard time getting a replacement, and the adjustments that come with that!
This is particularly important for people with lowered immunity, those who are battling diseases and illnesses as well as children and adults who are physically and mentally challenged.
You have no idea how much care goes into caring for such people until you have to deal with them 24/7 for years on end. Imagine how caregivers feel and what they have to deal with. They do their best to keep the one in their care as well and as clean as they can, and along comes someone with a “simple” cough, cold or flu who passes it on to them.
When people in these categories are down, they may not be in a position to tell you if they’re in pain. Their throat may be red, raw and sore but they can’t tell you because they can’t speak. By the time you realise it, they may need to be treated with antibiotics.
Their suffering is magnified. A healthy person may be able to deal with a stuffed or runny nose without a second thought, but for someone who’s bedridden or handicapped, it can make them feel like they’re drowning. Blocked nose is easily alleviated with movement. Sit up or go for a short walk and you can breathe better. It’s not so easy for someone who’s bedridden.
It sounds dramatic but this is real for some of us. Sometimes, the caregiver will feel so helpless when their charges cling on to them as they struggle to breathe. Of course we can use a steamer or diffuser with oils to help ease breathing, but it is often hard to reason with them. They just don’t understand.
When panic from not being able to breathe grips them, logic and instructions are not easily received. As a caregiver, you have to remain calm and reassuring while giving them relief the best way you can. You must also pray that you don’t get sick.
Putri Juneita Johari volunteers for the Special Children Society of Ampang. You can reach her at juneitajohari@yahoo.com
The article above is brought to you by AmMetLife Insurance Berhad