Swine Flu (H1N1 Flu)

Swine Flu (H1N1 Flu)

Definition

Swine Flu is a viral infection of the nose, throat, windpipe, and bronchi. The main symptoms are a cough, sore throat, runny nose and fever. If you don’t have a fever, you don’t have Swine Flu. Usually there’s more muscle pain, headache, fever and chills than seen with the common cold.

Cause

Flu is caused by the H1N1 virus. It started in March 2009 and by June had spread to most of the world (a pandemic). After exposure (close contact), 20% of people come down with symptoms in 4 to 6 days.

Diagnosis: How to know that your child has Swine Flu

Swine Flu is widespread in our community and if your child has flu symptoms with a fever, then he or she probably has Swine Flu. You don’t need to get any special tests. You don’t need to call or see your child’s doctor, unless your child is HIGH-RISK (see #6) or develops a possible complication of the flu (see the “Call your child’s doctor” section).

How to Treat Swine Flu

The treatment of Swine Flu depends on your child's main symptoms. It’s no different from treating symptoms of the common cold. So far the rate of complications is no higher than with regular Seasonal Flu. Bed rest is not necessary. Antibiotics are not helpful.

1. Fever or aches
Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) for fever over 102°F (39°C) or for any pain. Children and adolescents who have influenza should never take aspirin.

2. Cough
For children over age 6, give cough drops. If your child is over 1 year of age, give honey (1/2 to 1 teaspoon as needed). Never give honey to babies. If honey is not available, you can use corn syrup. Drugstore cough medicines are not as helpful as honey. Also, they are not approved for children under 4 years old (FDA).

3. Sore throat
Tylenol or ibuprofen is very helpful for throat pain. Children over 6 years old can suck on hard candy. Children over 1 year old can sip warm chicken broth or other warm liquids.

4. Stuffy or blocked nose
Saline (or warm-water) nose drops followed by suction (or nose blowing) will open most blocked noses. Use these “nasal washes” whenever your child can't breathe through the nose. You can buy saline spray without a prescription. Saline nose drops can also be made by adding 1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) of table salt to 1 cup (8 oz or 240 ml) of warm water. Use 2 or 3 drops at a time.






5. Antiviral medicine (such as Tamiflu)
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC recommend antiviral medicines be prescribed for all HIGH-RISK children (see #6) who come down with Swine Flu symptoms. LOW-RISK children with Swine Flu do not need antiviral medicine unless they develop serious symptoms (such as pneumonia). Antiviral medicines must be started within 48 hours of the start of flu symptoms to have an effect. They usually reduce the time your child is sick by 1 or 2 days. They improve the symptoms but do not eliminate them. If you have other questions about antiviral medicine, talk with your healthcare provider.

6. HIGH-RISK children for complications
The following children are at higher risk for complications from Swine Flu: lung disease (such as asthma), heart disease (such as a congenital heart disease), weak immune system (such as cancer), diabetes, sickle cell disease, kidney disease, diseases requiring long-term aspirin therapy, neurological disease, neuromuscular disease, developmental delays, other chronic diseases, pregnant teens, or young children less than 5 years old.

7. Expected Course
The fever lasts 3 to 5 days, the runny or stuffy nose 1 to 2 weeks, and the cough 2 to 3 weeks.

Prevention of Swine Flu

• Swine Flu shots: When the Swine Flu vaccine becomes available, get all family members protected. Children need to be over 6 months old to get the vaccine.
• Preventing Spread to Others: The virus is spread by sneezing, coughing, and hand contact. Cover the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands. Wash the hands frequently. Stay home when sick. Your child may return to child care or school after the fever is gone for at least 24 hours. (CDC)

Call your child's doctor Now (night or day) if:
• Your child looks or acts very sick
• Breathing becomes difficult or fast
• Dehydration occurs (no urine in 12 hours, dry mouth, no tears)
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not waking up or interacting as usual
• Being so irritable that your child does not even want to be held
• Severe or persistent vomiting

Call your child's doctor during the day if:
• Your think your child needs to be seen
• Your child is in the HIGH RISK group and has flu symptoms
• Earache or sinus pain occurs
• Fever lasts more than 4 to 5 days
• Cough lasts more than 3 weeks
• Your child becomes worse
• Fever returns after being absent for a day, or significant change in fever pattern occurs (ex. Temp was 101 for several days and is now 103)
For additional information, please visit the CDC website @www.cdc.gov/h1n1


Author: Barton D. Schmitt MD, Denver, CO. Copyright 2009. Revised 8-26-2009. Updated by APA 10/20/09.


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