I'm so scared about everything I am hearing about the swine flu.  What is real? What is media hype? How do I keep my child from contracting it?
 
H1N1 (aka Swine Flu) is a new influenza virus and was first detected in the US in April of 2009.  The cause for alarm is that this virus spreads person to person and since it is new, we have no natural immunity.  As a result H1N1 is spreading very rapidly.  It is a distant cousin of the regular flu.  Since it looks very similar to the 1918 strain, it is probably a mutation.
 
H1N1 was originally called the swine flu because many of the genes found in the new virus are similar to those found in pig influenza.  However, further study has proven the case to be very different.  This particular influenza has genes that circulate in pigs from Europe and Asia; as well as, avian genes (bird flu) and human genes. 
 
While there are many cases of "the flu" each year, it seems to have the most impact on the elderly and the young.  However, the first detailed study of US children killed by H1N1 shows a remarkable difference.  It "appears to be taking a higher toll on school age youngsters than babies and toddlers" and a much further impact on adults in the 25-49 year old age bracket.  So far there have been over 38,000 positive tests in the US with 40 childhood deaths from the H1N1 virus and of those 2/3 had underlying high risk health problems such as epilepsy, Cerebral Palsy or other neurodevelopmental conditions.  In those children that were otherwise healthy, secondary bacterial infection played a role in the mortality rate.  With that said, the seasonal flu (A & B) kills 36,000 people a year on average.
 
What can I do to protect myself and my family?
    -   Wash your hands (sing 2 verses of Happy Birthday)
    -   Don't touch your eyes or mouth until you have washed your hands
    -   Use hand sanitizer
    -   Stay away from sick people if you can - Crowded places such as malls & churches are good places to get infected.
    -   Wipe down shopping cart handles and seats (or use Lysol spray)
    -   Wear a mask if you are caring for a sick child or adult to help keep the virus from spreading
 
What are the symptoms of H1N1?  Honestly, they aren't much different than the symptoms of the "regular flu".  
    - Fever, Lethargy, Lack of Appetite, Coughing, Sore Throat, Body aches, Chills, Headache, Vomiting/Diarrhea.
 
What do I do if my child gets the flu or H1N1 flu?
     -  Call your doctor and have your child tested to see if it really is the flu and which one it is.  The regular seasonal flu and H1N1 will be tested for.
     -  See your primary care doc if you have a fever greater than 100.5, sore throat, body aches (and sometimes diarrhea/vomiting).
 
What is the difference in getting the vaccine and using Tami-flu?
A vaccine is given to prevent the infection and is made from pieces of "dead" virus or weakened versions that will not make you sick, but instead will stimulate your immune system to make antibodies to the virus.  Tami-flu is a treatment for the flu that is given at the onset of symptoms.
 
When will the vaccine for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus be available?
The CDC estimates that approximately 45 million doses of H1N1 influenza vaccine will be available in mid-October.  20 million additional doses will be released in each subsequent week.
 
Is the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine experimental?
No.  H1N1 influenza vaccine will be available in an inactivated injection and a nasal-spray that is live attenuated.  Neither is experimental.  The 2009 H1N1 vaccines are made using the same methods and facilities used annually to produce seasonal vaccines.  The H1N1 is currently undergoing additional clinical trials to determine the correct dosages that are needed for protection.
 
What danger do the vaccines pose to my heart child?
Vaccines do not pose any danger to any child, including those with heart disease (unless you have a severe egg allergy).  There is a small risk of a neurological condition called Gilluan Barre, but the risk posed by the flu is far greater.
 
Who should be vaccinated?      
     -  All pregnant women since they are at higher risk.
     -  All caregivers of children less than 6 months
     -  All healthcare workers
     -  Children over 6 months - 24 years  (appears to be the group most affected)
     -  Those between 25-64 years with chronic health conditions that may be at higher risk for complications
 
What should I do if symptoms occur?
1.        Stay at home
2.       Do not return to school/work until all symptoms are gone for 2 days.
3.       Cover mouth when you cough or sneeze - use a tissue or sleeve, preferably not your hands
4.       Wash hands frequently (soap and water while singing 2 verses of Happy Birthday) and/or use hand sanitizer
 
Emergency Warning Signs in Children?  (seek medical attention immediately)
   -    Fast breathing or difficulty breathing
   -    Bluish or gray skin color
   -    Not drinking enough fluids
   -    Severe persistent vomiting
   -    Not waking up or not interacting
   -    Being so irritable that the child doesn't want to be held or comforted
   -    Flu-like symptoms improve, but return with a fever and a worse cough
Emergency Warning Signs in Adults? (seek medical attention immediately)
    -   Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
    -   Pain/Pressure in the chest or abdomen
    -   Sudden dizziness
    -   Confusion
    -   Severe/persistent vomiting
    -   Flu-like symptoms improve but returns with fever and worse cough
 
 
*Information for the above article was obtained from:
IMH Medical Advisory Board
Center for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/faq/swineflu/04.html
 

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