Cold and flu season is a tough time of the year for anyone. The best advice to avoid getting sick is to avoid close contact with people who are sick or are showing symptoms. But what if you have a disability and rely on a personal care attendant for your daily needs? How do you avoid close contact with the person who is helping you to shower and dress?
How Flu Spreads
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu viruses, or germs, are mainly spread from person to person by coughing or sneezing. In some instances, a person can also become infected by touching an object or surface containing flu viruses and then touching their mouth or nose. Because the flu virus has a slight incubation period, a person infected with the flu can begin infecting others up to one day before they start to show symptoms and up to a week after recovering.
Preventing the Spread of Flu
The flu vaccine is the best line of defense against the spread and contraction of the flu, says the CDC. Although there is some controversy over flu vaccination, there is no evidence that the vaccine actually causes the flu.
The flu vaccine is a mix of dead flu viruses that scientists and immunologists believe will be the most virulent during the upcoming flu season. Because flu viruses can mutate so frequently, the vaccine can never be exact. However, it is highly effective and enough to protect millions of people each year.
There are two ways to receive the vaccination: a shot containing killed viruses and a nasal spray containing live but weakened viruses. About two weeks after getting vaccinated, your immune system will begin to build up antibodies that protect against flu infections. The vaccination does not, however, prevent flu-like illnesses caused by other viruses.
Some Centers for Independent Living (CILs) offer free flu shots to personal care attendants. Some may also reimburse PCAs for the flu shot they receive at their personal doctor.
Some other steps that you can take to help prevent the spread of the flu include coughing or sneezing into the crook of your arm, washing your hands frequently with soap and water of hand sanitizer and staying home if you are sick.
When Your PCA Gets Sick
Taking the day off when you are sick is not so easy for a personal care attendant. Fifty-seven million Americans, including personal care attendants and home health workers, do not get paid sick time, according to Representative Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn. Earlier this spring, DeLauro introduced the Healthy Families Act, a bill that would enable workers to accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to seven days.
Until the bill passes, many PCAs will continue to come to work when they are sick or getting sick.
There are a few things that you can do to stay healthy while working with a PCA who is ill. Provide plenty of hand sanitizer and ask your attendant to utilize it or wash their hands frequently. Provide latex gloves for your attendant to wear if you wish. It is also within your rights, says Ashley Mills, a personal care attendant from Pennsylvania, to ask your attendant to wear a mask if you think they are getting sick. If you are concerned for your health or the health of your attendant, your attendant should not have a problem with the request.
Use a little common sense and follow the CDC guidelines for prevention, and the cold and flu season should not be too rough on you.
Megan Abrams - I have lived with the effects of a childhood stroke for more than half my life and offer a uniquely personal perspective on disability.
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