Seasonal and Novel H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Parents
What is H1N1 flu?
How serious is the flu?
How does flu spread?
What are the symptoms of the flu?
How long can a sick person spread the flu to others?
How can I protect my child against the flu?
Is there a vaccine to protect my child from H1N1 flu?
Is there medicine to treat the flu?
What should I use for hand cleaning?
What can I do if my child gets sick?
What if my child seems very sick?
Can my child go to school, day care or camp if he or she is sick?
When can my child go back to school after having the flu?
What is H1N1 flu?
On June 11 2009, the worldwide pandemic alert level for influenza A (H1N1) virus was raised to Phase 6. This means there is global spread of the virus. Raising the pandemic alert level to Phase 6 is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness. In general, this disease's severity is similar to normal seasonal influenza.The H1N1 virus is circulating throughout Oregon, including the Portland metro area. Below is some guidance that you may find helpful related to H1N1 flu.
H1N1 flu is a new influenza virus that is spreading worldwide among people. This new virus was called "swine flu" at first because it has pieces of flu viruses found in pigs in the past. However, H1N1 virus has not been detected in U.S. pigs. There is no reason to stop eating pork, if you did so prior to this virus.
Influenza is unpredictable, but like flu each season scientists believe that the new H1N1 virus will cause illness, hospital stays and deaths in the United States over the coming months. This flu season, the new virus may cause younger people to get sicker than during a regular flu season.
How serious is the flu?
The flu can be very serious, especially for pregnant women, children younger than 5 years (particularly those <2 years), and people of any age who have one or more chronic medical conditions. These conditions include asthma or other lung problems, diabetes, weakened immune systems, kidney disease, heart problems and neurological and neuromuscular disorders. These conditions can result in more severe illness from influenza, including the new H1N1 virus.
How does flu spread?
Both H1N1 flu and seasonal flu are thought to spread mostly from person to person through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with influenza. People also may get sick by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
Symptoms of seasonal flu and H1N1 flu are the same and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also may have vomiting and diarrhea.
How long can a sick person spread the flu to others?
On average, people infected with seasonal and H1N1 flu shed virus and may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems.
How can I protect my child against flu?
- Get a seasonal flu vaccine for yourself and your children to protect against seasonal flu viruses.
- Take everyday steps to prevent the spread of all flu viruses. These includes:
- 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, especially 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, including anyone in the household who is sick.
- Keep surfaces like bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
- Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by sick persons in your household in the trash.
Is there a vaccine to protect my child from H1N1 flu?
A vaccine against the H1N1 flu is FDA-approved. The first vaccine shipments arrived in Oregon the week of October 5, 2009.Vaccine will continue to arrive weekly; distribution is under federal and local government control. A vaccine against seasonal flu is available each fall and winter. More information about the new H1N1 flu vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine is available on the CDC Web site.
Both vaccines may be available at the clinic of your child’s doctor, but availability is continuously changing. Please contact your child’s medical provider to see if vaccine is available at this time.
Is there medicine to treat the flu?
Antiviral drugs can treat both seasonal flu and the new H1N1 flu. These drugs can make people feel better and get better sooner. But they need to be prescribed by a doctor and they work best when started during the first 36-48 hours of illness. These drugs can be given to children. The priority use for these drugs is to treat people who are seriously ill and hospitalized or who have a medical condition that puts them at high risk of serious flu complications. Routine use to attempt to prevent the flu or to treat minor to moderate illness could make the flu become resistant to the medication. Similar to antibiotics, overuse can make treatment more difficult when people really need it. People do not become resistant, but the viruses and bacteria that infect children can become resistant if medications are used too often.
What should I use for hand cleaning?
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).
What can I do if my child gets sick?
If your child is 2 years or older and otherwise healthy and gets flu-like symptoms, including a fever and/or cough, consult your doctor’s office as needed and make sure your child gets plenty of rest and drinks enough fluids.
If your child of any age has a chronic medical condition like asthma, diabetes, immunodeficiency, kidney disease or a neurologic problem and develops flu-like symptoms, including a fever and/or cough, call your doctor or get medical attention. This is because younger children and 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. As always, if your child seems very sick, or worsens after a doctor visit, please call your doctor’s office.
What if my child seems very sick?
Even children who have always been healthy before 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
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Has other conditions (like heart or lung disease, diabetes, or asthma) and develops flu-like symptoms, including a fever and/or cough.
Can my child go to school, day care or camp if he or she is sick?
No. Your child should stay home to rest and to avoid giving the flu to other children.
When can my child go back to school after having the flu?
Keep your child home from school, day care or camp for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone. (Their fever should be gone without them having taken a fever-reducing medicine.) A fever is defined as 100°F or 37.8°C or higher.
