What to do when a participant is unwell

Signs to watch for

• Fever, chills or feeling unusually hot or cold.
• Cough, sore throat or a runny nose.
• Vomiting or diarrhoea.
• New confusion, drowsiness or changes in behaviour — sometimes the only sign of infection, especially for people who can't easily describe how they feel.
• Pain when passing urine, or cloudy or smelly urine.
• A wound that is red, swollen, hot or weeping.

What to do

1. If the person seems seriously unwell, call 000.
2. Otherwise, tell your supervisor and follow your provider's procedure and the participant's plan.
3. Use PPE for close care — and a mask for respiratory symptoms, if your provider advises.
4. Increase hand hygiene and cleaning of high-touch surfaces.
5. Record what you saw and when.

If you are unwell

Don't go to work with symptoms of an infection. Tell your provider as early as you can so your shift can be covered.