| Check Up: Protecting Your Family Against Severe Seasonal Flu and H1N1 |
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Frank Esper, MD, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist provides guidelines on how to prevent H1N1 and the seasonal flu, symptoms to look for and steps to take for relief. Influenza is the number one killer of people nationwide from an infection. Nothing, not Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) or any diarrheal disease even comes close. Seasonal influenza holds the top spot. Every child between the ages of 6 months and 18 years old should be vaccinated for the flu annually. The flu shot may not keep you from getting the flu, but it does decrease transmission and help prevent hospitalization and severe disease like pneumonia and even death. When you get a flu vaccine, you are protecting yourself and everyone around you at home and at work. Immunization shortens the time you are contagious and minimizes your symptoms. The ‘H1N1’ or ‘Swine H1N1’ is a total reinvention of influenza. It is a virus that we have never seen before. The issue with this drastic of a change in influenza is that most people don’t have any immunity to H1N1 and it is going to be extremely contagious. H1N1 is not necessarily more deadly than the seasonal influenza, but it is going to infect more people. As you may know, seasonal flu vaccines are available as a shot or a mist. Flu shots can be administered to babies and anyone 6 months or older. The nasal fluMist is recommended for healthy people ages 2 to 49 years of age who are not pregnant. In addition, it is now known that many children with egg allergy can tolerate the minor amount of egg protein found in flu vaccines. Under the supervision of an allergist/immunologist, skin testing can help parents determine whether or not their child is eligible for the vaccine. Common influenza symptoms include high fever (103 degrees or above), cough and/or sore throat, a stuffy or runny nose, body aches, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Diarrhea and vomiting often accompany the flu in children. The flu typically lasts three to five days, but can linger up to 10. Patients with conditions like asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) may battle the flu for longer periods of time. Patients in high-risk groups may be treated with antiviral drugs which typically make symptoms go away a day or two early. We are starting to see resistance to antivirals so even these prescriptive medications may eventually become ineffective against the flu. Flu patients may also find some relief from over-the-counter products like Tylenol or Motrin, but the best treatment for any type of flu includes plenty of bed rest and fluid intake. Chicken soup is still a good standby. The good news is, the vast majority of people infected with seasonal flu or H1N1 are going to have mild disease. However, if someone in your family has a prolonged fever of more than three days or symptoms that cause concern, you should call your pediatrician or family physician. Additionally, there are severe flu symptoms that warrant an emergency room visit, including:
Flu prevention and containment rests in the simple guidelines of washing hands often as the virus is spread from hand-to-mouth contact and minimizing its impact by getting vaccinated. This is the year to treat illnesses with a heavier hand and abide by strict guidelines. If you’re sick, stay home. If your child is sick, keep her home from school until she is fever-free for 24 hours after her fever breaks without the use of Tylenol or Motrin. Prepare in advance for the possibility of three to five day periods of staying home. Have extended family members or people ‘on call’ in case your child does get sick and you need backup. For the most current information on H1N1, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/. If you think you, or a member of your family, may be at risk, please call the University Hospitals H1N1 [Swine] Flu HOTLINE 216-844-7246. «Back to November News Bulletin |