•  Help  your clients  avoid stress.    Studies have shown that stress  increases  the  risk of  infection  and  illness.   Keeping  your  clients'  stress level low  means  you  are helping  their  bodies  stay strong! •  If  you  observe  any  of the following  changes  in  your clients,  report it  to your supervisor  right  away: • shortness of  breath • chest pain  with  coughing • fever • sputum • extreme  fatigue • muscle  pain • bluish lips • severe  headache •  Keep  in  mind that  for people  who  already  have chronic  respiratory  conditions, like COPD, confusion  may  be the  earliest sign of pneumonia.  Report  any altered mental status to  your   supervisor. • You  should  also  encourage   your clients  to cover  their noses  and mouths  with tissues  when  coughing  or sneezing. • Keep  your clients  dressed appropriately  for  the  weather.   While  being exposed  to cold weather can't bring on a  cold or the  flu, it  can  increase  the risk  for  pneumonia. • Avoid  exposing your  clients to people  with  colds or  the flu.   If  you  are  caring  for  a client with  the  flu,  be  very careful  to wash  your hands and clean  your equipment   per  policy  before  going on to the  next  client. • The  flu  virus  can  live for a short time on objects like telephones,  doorknobs,  pens, pencils and  handkerchiefs.   Pay  attention to  your coworkers  and  to  your clients.   If you pick  up  a telephone right  after  someone  else  has coughed  on  it,  you  are putting  yourself--and  your clients--at  risk! More  Tips  For Controlling Infection  During Flu Season •  Encourage  your  clients  to maintain  good  food  and  fluid intake.    People  with good nutrition  are  more likely  to fight  off illnesses. •  Colds  are  spread  through direct contact with  the  germs.   For example,  if  someone  with a  cold wipes  his  nose and then  touches a  doorknob,  the next  person  to  touch  the doorknob  is  at  risk for catching  the  cold.   This  means that hand  washing  is  the  best way  to avoid spreading  or catching  a  cold.   • Be  sure  to wash  your hands according  to  policy.   ? • Encourage or  help  your clients to  wash their hands,  too. •  The  flu  is spread  through the  air.   For  example, if someone  with  the  flu  sneezes or  coughs without covering her  face,  the  tiny  germs are carried in the air  to nearby people  and  objects.   • Handwashing  is an important infection  control measure.   Remember  to  use  gloves  as outlined  in  the  Standard Precaution  Guidelines.