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Doctors Urge Parents To Keep Close Eye On Kids With Swine Flu
Doctors are urging parents to be on the lookout for warning signs that a child’s case of swine flu has become life threatening.
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CHICAGO (October 12, 2009)--Doctors are urging parents to be on the lookout for warning signs that a child’s case of swine flu has become life-threatening.
Swine flu has probably infected hundreds of thousands of youngsters nationwide.
Deaths among children are rare, but at least 76 American children have died since April.
Last week alone, there were 19 reports of children who died.
Many experts say the H1N1 virus does not appear to be more dangerous than other flu strains, but children have been catching it more easily than seasonal flu.
Warning signs that parents need to seek medical help include fast or labored breathing, bluish skin color, a lack of thirst, inability to wake easily or interact, irritability, improvement of symptoms followed by return of fever and a worse cough and fever with a rash.
Parents should also seek medical help if flu symptoms develop in children most vulnerable to flu complications including those younger than 5 or with high-risk conditions, including asthma and other lung problems; cerebral palsy, epilepsy and other neurological diseases; heart, kidney or liver problems; and diabetes.
The current virus is described as a new subtype of swine flu or A/H1N1 not previously detected in swine or humans. The virus combines genetic material from pigs, birds and humans in a way researchers have not seen before.
How Is It Transmitted?
People cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Most influenza viruses, including the swine flu virus, are not spread by food. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe. No food safety issues have been identified, related to the flu. Preliminary investigations have determined that none of the people infected with the flu had contact with hogs. The virus is spreading by human-to-human transmission.
Swine Flu Symptoms
Symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of seasonal flu and include:
Fever
Fatigue
Lack of appetite
Coughing
Runny nose
Sore throat
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
What To Do If You Get Sick
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
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
Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
(CDC)
Steps You Can Take To Stay Healthy
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
Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them
(CDC)
Links And Other Resources
The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has a toll-free information line to answer any questions you may have about the swine flu. The number is 1-888-777-5320
Federal Flu Information Web Site
World Health Organization Human Swine Influenza Site
World Health Organization Human Swine Influenza Site
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