H1N1, or Swine Flu is a type of influenza virus that causes respiratory disease that can spread between people. Young children, pregnant women, and people with chronic diseases like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease may be at higher risk for complications from this infection. In most children, the symptoms of Swine Flu are similar to the symptoms of regular flu.
Flu viruses spread from person to person mainly through the coughing or sneezing of a sick person. Flu virus may also be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with the virus and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Right now, there is no vaccine to protect against Swine Flu, but there are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like Swine Flu:
Teach your children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself. Teach your children to cough and sneeze into a tissue or into the inside of their elbow.
Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself. Teach your children to stay at least six feet away from people who are sick. Children who are sick should stay home from school and daycare and stay away from other people until they are better.
In communities where Swine Flu has occurred, stay away from shopping malls, movie theaters, or other places where there are large groups of people.
In most children, the symptoms of swine flu) are similar to the symptoms of regular flu. They include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, occasionally, vomiting and diarrhea.
If your child is sick
Unless they need medical attention, keep children who are sick at home. Don't send them to school or daycare. Have them drink a lot of liquid such as juice, water, Pedialyte. Keep the sick child comfortable. Rest is important.
For fever, sore throat, and muscle aches, you can use fever-reducing medicines that your doctor recommends based on your child's age. Do not use aspirin with children or teenagers; it can cause Reye's syndrome, a life-threatening illness.
If someone in your home is sick, keep them away from those who are not sick. Keep tissues close to the sick person and have a trash bag within reach for disposing used tissues. If your child experiences any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care: fast breathing or trouble breathing, bluish or gray skin color, not drinking enough fluids, not waking up or not interacting, being so irritable that he or she does not want to be held, not urinating or no tears when crying, their symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
You can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, 24 hours a day/seven days a week to speak to a nurse if you have more questions or are concerned about any illness/symptoms experienced by you or your children.
