For all of the craziness that happens when the words "Swine Flu" or "H1N1" are mentioned, it really is not that hard to comply with recommendations on preventing yourself from coming down with the flu. So far researchers have learned that the regular seasonal flu seems to hit the elderly the hardest and the H1N1 is more of a problem for individuals aged five to twenty-four years of age. Pregnant women seem to be more susceptible and have a risk of developing complications. It is not completely known why the H1N1 is affecting younger people, but probably because older individuals may have some type of immunity, which is better than no immunity at all.
Most people will come down with typical flu symptoms of fever, cough and sore throat. But there are people who have gastro-intestinal symptoms like diarrhea and / or vomiting. Researchers are now showing that some people don’t even have a fever. So, it appears that symptoms do vary but for the most part they are typical. One needn’t run to the hospital when they come down with flu-like symptoms unless they have severe symptoms or they have a chronic illness that makes them more susceptible to complications (pneumonia) which could be deadly. If you are coming down with the flu you are probably contagious for a short time before you have a fever. Adults and children shed the virus for a few days even after the fever has gone away so you should continue with extra good hygiene measures!
Parents need to do the following:
1. Teach their children when and how to wash their hands properly. If the school permits and your child is old enough and responsible they should take a small bottle of hand sanitizer to school with them in case they have no access to water. Clean hands are important before you eat and before you touch your eyes, nose and mouth for any reason!
2. Show your children good cough and sneeze etiquette and model it yourself! Cough or sneeze into your elbow or sleeve area. We no longer cough into our hands. If you do, wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer immediately afterwards!
3. Teach your children to avoid, if possible, close contact with individuals who appear sick (fever, cough, etc.). This isn’t always possible, particularly if that person is the mother, but do your best! If you need to visit a hospital or emergency room, don’t take your children along for the ride. You are just exposing them to things!
4. Get vaccinated against the regular seasonal flu and the novel H1N1 flu. The seasonal flu vaccine is already out and you can get it just about anywhere (hospitals, clinics, health departments, pharmacies, senior citizens locations, etc). You can get a shot of each at the same time–but in different arms–but if you take the nasal spray you can only get one at a time and must wait 3-4 weeks for the other. If that is the case, and you want to hurry to get the vaccinations you might as well roll up your sleeve or your children’s sleeves and get the shots! Immunity begins in 3-4 weeks, so continue good hygiene measures. For the H1N1 a child under ten will need two doses, but for older children and adults you will get a good immune response after only one dose in about a three week time period.
5. To protect others, don’t send your child anywhere sick. I know children hate to miss school, but if your child has a cough and sore throat and a fever, keep them home! You should expect other parents to do the same with their children! Your child must be fever-free for 24 hours prior to returning to school and that means not having to take Tylenol or other medication for a fever.
6. Parents MUST model good cough and sneeze etiquette and hand washing at all times. If you are ill with fever you must also stay home until you are fever-free for 24 hours! Your co-workers will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
7. Of course, always keep yourself well hydrated and eat a well balanced diet and get plenty of rest and exercise. This keeps your body stronger and healthier.
8. If you or anyone in your family has a chronic disease or someone is pregnant please discuss what you should do if you come down with the flu. Have a plan in place so you don’t panic.
9. Keep up with the news (without overexposing your children to this news) so you are aware of outbreaks, etc. Stock up on some over the counter medication (such as cough syrup, acetaminophen, etc.). Have a thermometer in the house and use it to keep your eye on how your child is doing!
Be sensible, learn good hygiene and get vaccinated! Simple techniques to decrease you or your family’s risk of coming down with any type of flu. If you need additional advice call your doctor and speak to the nurse or to the doctor. Your local health department will be able to provide you with useful information.
Good luck and wash your hands!
