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Because of communal living and inadequate ventilation in shelters, respiratory infections tend to spread. Elderly with decreases in resistance and reserve force to infection are easily infected by cold and influenza viruses, and readily develop shelter pneumonia, which may become serious.
It is, therefore, necessary to take preventive measures against respiratory infection, and to find and treat borderline pneumonia.
Assessment
| 1. |
General condition: vital signs, cough, sputum,
nasal discharge and fever |
| 2. |
Observation of symptoms of influenza:
Fever relatively rapidly developed (above 38?., headache, joint pain, muscle pain, sore throat, runny nose and cough* In the elderly, it is necessary to pay particular attention because
symptoms may not be marked |
| 3. |
Shelter environment: room temperature, humidity and ventilation |
Coping methods
| 1. |
1.Take measures to prevent colds and influenza
| 1. |
Explain the necessity of gargling and disinfecting the hands, and encourage elderly evacuees to do these |
| 2. |
Use leaflets and brochures when necessary |
| 3. |
Obtain and provide necessary goods: mouth washes, disinfectants for hands and fingers, masks, etc. |
| 4. |
Maintain ventilation and humidity in the shelter |
| 5. |
Obtain and provide items providing heat when necessary (especially in winter. |
| 6. |
Obtain and administer vaccines when the spread of influenza is expected |
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| 2. |
When colds have developed
| 1. |
Secure the environment allowing rest and heat retention |
| 2. |
Ensure sufficient water intake |
| 3. |
Provide meals with high nutritional values, which are easy to eat (See page Foods. |
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| 3. |
When influenza has developed
| 1. |
Antipyretics should be acquired and administered, and patients should be moved to a suitable medical institution as soon as possible |
| 2. |
When elderly patients return to their shelter following treatment, consider an emergency short-stay in a long-term care insurance institutions for elderly at risk of re-infection |
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Development of respiratory infections
