Show AllH1N1 flu, also called swine flu, is a new influenza virus that is spreading worldwide among people. The virus has been called “swine flu” because it has been found in pigs. However, the new H1N1 virus has not been found in pigs in the U.S.
Since few people have been exposed to H1N1 in the past, it is thought that H1N1 will cause more people to get sick than typically do during a regular flu season. It also may cause more hospital stays and deaths than the “seasonal” flu. But, we believe most infections will be mild and most people will not need to see a doctor.
The flu can be very serious, especially for children under 2 years of age, or who have chronic lung or heart conditions or immune deficiencies. These conditions include asthma or other lung problems, diabetes, weakened immune systems, kidney disease, heart problems and neuromuscular disorders. It may be more difficult for children with these conditions to fight influenza, including the new H1N1 virus.
Flu (both H1N1 and seasonal) spreads mainly from person to person, through contact with fluids from coughs and sneezes. Infection may happen if a person touches something with flu viruses on it and then touches his/her mouth, nose or eyes. Luckily, flu virus can only survive for a few hours outside the body.
Flu symptoms (both for seasonal and H1N1) include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Symptoms may also include vomiting and diarrhea.
Even children who have always been healthy or had the flu before can get a severe case of flu. Call or take your child to a doctor right away if your child of any age has:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Any chronic health condition (like heart or lung disease, diabetes, or asthma) and develops flu-like symptoms, including a fever and/or cough.
Also, call or go to the doctor right away if your child is:
- Unresponsive or not interacting
- Being so irritable that he/she does not want to be held
- Not drinking enough fluids
People who are sick with seasonal and H1N1 flu are most likely to spread the illness from 1 day before getting sick until one day after the fever goes away. But, it is possible to spread illness for up to seven days after getting sick.
Everyone in your household should receive a flu vaccine in order to protect themselves from getting the flu. The CDC recommends that all children over 6 months of age be vaccinated unless they have a specific reason they cannot be vaccinated. There is not yet a recommendation for all adults to be vaccinated but the vaccine is safe and effective in adults and should be strongly considered, especially if the adult works with children or in a health care setting.
Take these steps to help stop the spread of flu viruses:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
- Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, also after you cough or sneeze
- If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand cleaners are also
effective
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth (germs spread this way)
- Teach your child to take these actions too
- Try to keep your child from having close contact (about 6 feet) with sick people, as well as anyone in the house who is sick
- Keep surfaces like bedside tables, bathrooms, kitchen counters and toys for children clean by wiping them down with a household sanitizer according to directions on the product label
- Throw away tissues and any non-reusable items used by sick people in your home
A vaccine against the new H1N1 flu is being made and will be available in the coming months. More information about the new H1N1 flu vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine is available on the CDC Web site.
Medicines are available to treat flu. However, these medicines need to be prescribed by a doctor. As most people get better without medicines, doctors are mainly using these drugs in people needing hospitalization or are at high risk of developing severe flu infections.
The main goal is to make your child feel comfortable by giving acetaminophen or ibuprofen and lots of fluids. If your child is otherwise healthy and the fever does not go away after 2-3 days, or you think he / she is getting very sick, contact your doctor.
If your child has a medical condition like asthma, diabetes, or a neuromuscular problem and develops flu-like symptoms, call your doctor or get medical attention. This is because children who have chronic medical conditions (like asthma or diabetes) may be at higher risk of serious complications from influenza infection, including the new H1N1. Talk to your doctor early if you are worried about your child’s illness.
Washing hands with soap and running water (for as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice) will help protect against many germs. When soap and running water are not available, wipes or gels with alcohol in them can be used (the gels should be rubbed into your hands until they are dry).
DO NOT SEND A CHILD WITH THE FLU TO DAYCARE OR SCHOOL. Your child should stay home to rest and to avoid giving the flu to other children.
Keep your child home from school, day care or camp for at least 24 hours after his / her fever is gone. (The fever should be gone without the help of a fever-reducing medicine.) A fever is defined as an oral temperature of 100°F or above (37.8°C) above.
