CSTS | Department of Psychiatry | Uniformed Services University | 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799 | www.CSTSonline.org

Taking Care of Your Family During
Coronavirus and Other Emerging
Infectious Disease Outbreaks
Infectious disease outbreaks,
including Coronavirus (COVID-19)
that was first identified in China
in December 2019, create a call toaction for individuals and families
to take responsibility for theirhealth. Although leaders in science,
medicine, and government closely
monitor and seek solutions for…the best way to protect one’s family isthrough staying informed, practicing goodbasic hygiene and preventive measures,engaging in strategies to help manage
stress, and learning ways to involve yourchildren in family health care.

disease outbreaks, the best way
to protect one’s family is throughstaying informed, practicing goodbasic hygiene and preventive
measures, engaging in strategies tohelp manage stress, and learning
ways to involve your children infamily health care.

Staying Informed
Reliable sources of information during an infectious
disease outbreak help ensure family members are taking
appropriate steps to stay healthy and address uncertainty
about where to find accurate information. Up-to-date,accurate recommendations regarding disease prevention,
self and family care, and travel guidance can be found at thefollowing websites:■ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
www.cdc.gov■ American Red Cross:www.redcross.org■ Local American Red Cross chapter:www.redcross.org/where/chapts.asp■ Viruses spread mainly person-to-person throughInformation about infectious diseases for children:■ CDC:
www.cdc.gov/childrenindisasters/index.html■ American Academy of Pediatrics:
www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-healthinitiatives/Children-and-Disasters/Pages/default.aspx■ Schools are a reliable source of up-to-date healthinformation about specific school recommendations
and emergency plans. Plan for childcare in the eventof school closure, which may involve taking leave or
finding alternate care plans.

■

Good Basic Hygiene and Preventive Measures■ Avoid close contact with people who might be sick.

■coughing or sneezing of infected people.

■ Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve

■
■

■
■

■
■
■

■

when coughing or sneezing, and dispose of the tissue
after use. If a tissue isn’t available, cough or sneeze into
your elbow, not your hands.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs
spread that way.
Wash your hands regularly with soap and warm
water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are notavailable, use an alcohol-based hand-sanitizer.
Wash your hands after coming home from public places,such as a school or playground.
Clean frequently touched household surfaces with adisinfectant spray or wipes.
If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit
contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Eat a balanced, nutritious diet and get enough sleep
every night.
Engage in exercise for stress reduction and overall goodhealth.
Make sure everyone in your house has received a flu
shot. Because we are more familiar with the flu, people
might not worry as much about it; however, it is an
important preventive behavior.
Provide additional support to children with special
needs.
Taking precautions to stay healthy is particularly
important for at-risk groups, such as very youngchildren, older adults, and people with weakened
immune systems or other health conditions.
Strategies to Help Stay Calm
Uncertainty and concern about catching an infectious
disease, and protecting oneself and one’s family, canincrease feelings of stress. There are effective ways forindividuals and families to manage stress and concern:■ Stay up-to-date about developments related to theinfectious disease outbreak by using a reliable andaccurate source of health-related information, such as
the CDC or the Red Cross.
■ Limit media exposure. Use media resources to learn
about updates, making sure to supervise children
during its use, and then turn it off.
■ Stick to your usual daily routine.
■ Focus on positive aspects of your life and things thatyou can control.
■ Seek social support from family members and/or
friends and maintain social connections.
■ Engage in relaxation techniques for stress reduction.
■ Engage in physical activity and other enjoyable
activities.
■ If you or a family member is feeling overwhelmed,
seek support from your health care provider or
religious leader.

Ways to Involve Your Children in Family Health Care
Including your children in your family’s health careplan will lead to better understanding, counter fear of theunknown, and help children and adolescents feel a sense ofcontrol.
■ Ask children what they have heard about infectious
disease.
■ Provide age appropriate, accurate information andclarify any misinformation or misunderstanding they
may have.
■ Encourage children to share their concerns and letthem know that parents and teachers are available todiscuss thoughts and feelings.
■ Parents’ behaviors have a significant effect on children.
Keep conversations calm and focused on the facts.
Emphasize efforts that are being taken to contain theinfectious disease.
■ Model health-promoting behaviors for your children.
For example, teach them to wash their hands with soapand water, reciting a nursery rhyme (e.g., HumptyDumpty) that helps them understand how long theyshould wash.
■ Educate the entire family about good health habits. Talk
about what each family member can do to help others
outside of the immediate family.
■ When appropriate, include children in family plans andpreventive behaviors.
■ Address any misconceptions children may have that
could result in stigmatizing people with connections tothe country from which the viral outbreak originated.

Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
Department of Psychiatry
Uniformed Services University
4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799
www.CSTSonline.org