Health
By Dr Santosh Mhetre, MD (Paediatrics)
Most people, including children, infected with the H1N1 virus (swine flu), have had mild disease, but some have had more severe illness. Young children, pregnant women, and people with chronic diseases like diabetes, or heart disease may be at higher risk for complications from this infection.
In fact, people with respiratory illnesses, such as asthma or other lung diseases, are particularly vulnerable to the swine flu. Severe cases of the swine flu sometimes cause viral pneumonia and deep infection within the lungs.
The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to the symptoms of regular flu.
They include:
Fever
Sore throat
Cough
Chills and fatigue
Body aches
Headache
Occasionally, vomiting and diarrhoea
H1N1 Symptoms in children
Young children may have difficulty in breathing and reduced activity, and any of above-mentioned symptoms. However, the infection may be similar to other flu infections. Typically, common seasonal flu causes a mild infection in children. However, parents should always pay special attention to children under 5 years of age, because they are more likely to become seriously ill than older children. Rarely, severe respiratory illness (pneumonia) and deaths occur with flu infections in children, and obviously flu infections tend to be more severe in children with chronic medical conditions.
If your child is under five years of age or has a serious pre-existing condition, pay extra attention to the possibility of H1N1.
Prevention
H1N1, like all flu viruses, spreads from person to person mainly through the coughing or sneezing of a sick person. H1N1 may also spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with the virus and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Generally, you can say that H1N1 spreads the same way as other flu viruses.
What should parents do?
Infants are thought to be at risk for severe illness from H1N1 infection and very little is known about prevention of the infection in infants. Babies, who are not breastfed, get sick from infections like the flu more often and more severely than babies who are breastfed. Mothers pass on antibodies to their babies during breastfeeding, which helps fight infection.
If your baby is ill with H1N1 influenza, do not stop breastfeeding. Your baby needs frequent breastfeeding throughout the illness. Choose breastfeeding over anything else, including water, juice, or Pedialyte. If your baby is too sick to breastfeed, he or she can drink your milk from a cup, bottle and syringe.
Do not give aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) or products that contain aspirin (eg bismuth subsalicylate – Pepto Bismol) to infants.
Children younger than 4 years of age especially should not be given over-the-counter cold medications without consulting a paediatrician.
Make sure your infant gets an immunization for the seasonal flu, and that other routine vaccinations are up to date. As soon as a vaccine for H1N1 flu is available, get your child (over the age of 6 months) vaccinated for H1N1 flu. The seasonal flu shot will only help protect your child from regular flu. The H1N1 flu shot will help protect them from the swine flu virus. There is a chance that it will take two shots, about three weeks apart, to get the full benefit from the H1N1 flu vaccine.
Take precautionary measures such as washing hands or using alcohol-based hand gel frequently to keep your hands clean, especially after sneezing or coughing.
Try not to cough or sneeze in your baby’s face when you are close to the infant, and cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
If you are sick with H1N1 influenza, ask for help from family members and friends who are not ill to feed and care for your baby, if possible. If not, wear a facemask, especially while in close contact, such as feeding the baby.
What should parents of school-age children do?
Keep sick children home from school for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone.
Wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds.
Set a good example for children to cough and sneeze into a tissue and throw the tissue away immediately. Wash hands after coughing or sneezing.
Help children remember not to share cups, water bottles, utensils, or any other items that go in their mouths.
Keep children at least six feet away from people who are sick.
Encourage children to eat well, sleep well and play outside.
Who should get vaccinated?
Vaccines play a large role in preventing illness. There are two types of flu vaccine and both are important.
Seasonal flu vaccine. It is important that all children between the age of 6 months to 18 years receive seasonal flu vaccine now.
H1N1 vaccine. A separate vaccine to protect against H1N1 flu (swine flu) has been developed. The people who should receive the H1N1 vaccine include:
Children between the age of 6 months to 24 years
Parents and caretakers of infants younger than 6 months
Pregnant women
Will there be 1 or 2 doses for the H1N1 flu vaccine?
Children below 10 years of age will need 2 doses, at least 1 month apart.
Children 10 years or older will need 1 dose.
Use of antiviral drugs (Tamiflu)
Most children will recover with rest and care at home. People in high-risk groups may need antiviral medication. Antiviral medication may help shorten the length of illness if taken soon after infection. If your child is in a high risk group and you suspect your child has influenza, or if your child has severe flu symptoms, visit your paediatrician.
