H1N1: What Every Parent Should Know
Derek J. Brown, Special to The Gazette
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
WHERE DID H1N1 COME FROM?
With all the current publicity surrounding the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu), parents are anxious and frustrated over incomplete and sometimes conflicting information provided through television, internet, blogs and other news sources. It may be difficult to find a non-biased voice when one needs to know how to protect their family. As a pediatrician and child advocate at Newman Regional Health, I will attempt to provide informational tools to make “informed” decisions about what lifestyle changes and vaccines are needed to protect your family.
The H1N1 virus was first seen in the United States in April of this year. It is similar to the "Spanish flu" that caused a world pandemic from 1918-1920. This virus was originally referred to as "swine flu" because initial laboratory results showed the new virus appeared very similar to influenza viruses normally occurring in pigs in North America. You cannot get H1N1 from eating pork.
From August 30 through October 10, 2009, a number of states reported a total of 4,958 laboratory-confirmed 2009 H1N1 hospitalizations to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The percentage of 2009 H1N1 related hospitalizations that occurred among 0-18 year olds was 44 percent.
WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF H1N1?
Unlike seasonal flu, which is responsible for deaths primarily in groups aged 65 years and older, the deaths from H1N1 are occurring mainly in children and young adults from 6 months to 24 years old. H1N1 and the common flu are similar in signs and symptoms: fever, non-productive cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue with possible vomiting and diarrhea (less likely). The spread of the H1N1virus and seasonal flu spread mainly from person-to-person through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing people with influenza. Some may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.
If you experience flu-like symptoms, contact your health care provider. The flu can be very serious, especially for younger children or those suffering chronic medical conditions: asthma, diabetes, weakened immune systems, kidney disease, heart problems, neurological and neuromuscular disorders. The CDC reports that seventy-one percent of the 45 swine flu deaths in the U.S. are those complicated with chronic conditions including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or immune deficiencies. Pregnant women are even more prone to having health complications with H1N1as well and taking the inactivated form of the vaccine is safe and the benefits of taking the vaccine outweigh the side effects of the current vaccine.
HOW DO I PREVENT THE SPREAD OF H1N1?
It is important to adjust everyday lifestyle to help prevent the spread of all flu viruses. This includes covering one's nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and throwing the tissue in the trash after using it or coughing into your elbow. Washing one's hands often with soap and water for 30 seconds is also important as well. If soap and water are not available hand sanitizers are also effective. It is also crucial to refrain from touching one's eyes, nose and mouth and to teach your child to cover a cough and wash their hands as well. Clean bedside table surfaces, bathroom surfaces, kitchen counters and toys for children using household disinfectants.
WHAT ABOUT VACCINES?
Seasonal Flu and H1N1 vaccines are strongly encouraged. Flu vaccines work by causing antibodies to develop in one's body. These antibodies provide protection against infection from the flu. Seasonal flues occur annually. Strains can vary every year, which is why there is a different flu vaccine created each winter and spring to fight that season's influenza. Two types of flu vaccine exist. One is the traditional flu shot that does not contain live virus, but an inactivated version that cannot cause the flu. The other type is a nasal flu vaccine called FluMist, which is not recommended for people with chronic health conditions or pregnancy. This flu vaccine contains weakened viruses, which usually do not cause illness. The nasal flu vaccine is recommended only for individuals 2 to 49 years of age. Children 6 months to nine years old, need two H1N1 inoculations, the second given 4 weeks after the first. Many but not all will have some protection after the first shot. If allergic to eggs, people should not receive the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine, which contains small amount of egg protein.
Based on reports from the CDC, "the H1N1vaccine has been more exhaustively tested than the seasonal flu vaccine. There's no reason to believe the side effects of the H1N1 flu vaccine will be any greater than the seasonal flu vaccine because they are manufactured and processed in the same way." Side effects include redness and tenderness at the injection site and may also include mild fever, vomiting, and muscle aches.
WHAT IF I (OR MY CHILD) GETS H1N1?
Antiviral drugs can be used to treat both types of flu. Antivirals such as Tamiflu and Relenza don't cure the H1N1 flu, but can make the disease less severe. These drugs do require a physician's prescription, and work best when started during the first two days of illness. Antiviral medications may shorten the time you are sick by one or two days. They can also prevent serious flu complications. These drugs can be given to children as well, but are primarily used to treat people who are seriously ill and at high risk of serious complications from the flu.
If your otherwise healthy child, five or over, show flu-like symptoms, fever and/or cough, talk to your doctor. Provide supportive care including plenty of rest and fluids such as water, juices, Pedialyte and diluted Gatorade. If your child is younger than five, or has a medical condition such as asthma, diabetes, or a neurological problem, call your doctor or get medical attention immediately. Also seek immediate medical attention if your child shows signs of rapid or difficult breathing, severe or persistent vomiting, difficulty waking up or interacts inappropriately. Keep your child home from school or day care for at least 24 hours after a fever (a fever is a body temperature greater than or equal to 100.4 degrees F). Their fever should be absent without taking a fever-reducing medicine such as over the counter Tylenol or Motrin.
People with seasonal and H1N1 flu may be contagious from one day before getting sick to five to seven days after. This may be even longer in some, especially children with weakened immune systems and in people infected with H1N1 flu.
HOW HAS KANSAS FARED WITH H1N1?
In the state of Kansas, as of November 2 of this year 14 people have died of the H1N1 infections. Two virus related deaths have been confirmed in Lyon County. In Emporia, KS the Lyon County Health department has provided over 900 doses of the H1N1 vaccine during the week of October 26 and will provide an additional 1,000 doses to be scheduled for the week of November 2.
The vaccination clinic of the Lyon County Health Department is open two days a week for seven hours a day. Renee Hively, public health manager for Lyon County reports that the health department will focus on five target groups in the population which include pregnant women, persons from 6 months through 18 years of age, persons who provide care for infants less than 6 months of age (parents, siblings, and day care providers), as well as healthcare personnel with direct contact with patients. Please visit www.flinthillshealth.org for a current vaccination clinic schedule.
With this information, I hope the H1N1 virus seems more manageable and not so overwhelming. I stress that all children between 6 months and 18 years of age should receive the H1N1 vaccine. Per CDC, even if the child has already had the H1N1 infection this year. I do recommend for all patients to receive the seasonal flu and the H1N1 vaccines even if provided late in the winter season since the H1N1 infection is anticipated to continue during the spring months of 2010 as well. Remember to wash your hands and disinfect routinely and consider social distancing in the presence of sick individuals with flu-like symptoms. Enjoy the holiday season and call your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
Shape Up, Emporia! is a weekly fitness and health column aimed at readers of all ages to get off the couch and get into shape. Each week will feature a fitness, health or nutrition professional from around the area who will share some friendly tips on how to improve your overall health. Our goal is to make getting in shape fun and easy to fit into your existing lifestyle and daily routine.
Derek J. Brown
Pediatric doctor for Newman Regional Health
Age: 39
Why I love pediatrics: As a pediatric facilitator and advocate, I enjoy working with newborns, toddlers, and teens and watching them blossom, grow, and succeed.
Comments
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Posted by madpoet (anonymous) on November 10, 2009 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for the good information. As the parent of a four year old with asthma, I'm being extra careful this year. He's had his first shot and will get his second one in a couple of weeks. He will be less than thrilled but it's better than the alternative.
Posted by marymoran (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 12:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My child came home from school saying that they learned to cough and sneeze into their elbow with Germy Wormie, and I was totally taken aback. I always covered with my hands. But I went to the website and now I get it, hands touch, elbows don't!! Kids can touch 300 surfaces in 1/2 hour and they hate to wash their hands. This is a simple thing that can make a huge difference. There is also an entertaining DVD that teaches them in a fun way the elbow cough, as well as other necessary hygiene habits.
Posted by Vivian (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 2:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for your nice information. H1N1 has greatly threatened student’s health and daily life. Facing the serious situation, it becomes more urgent to keep students, the group with great possibility to be infected. Teachers should introduce the knowledge of H1N1 flu. Making some quizzes about H1N1 would be a good way to strengthen students' consciousness of prevention, just as this article (http://www.quiz-creator.com/blog/2009/11...) says.
Posted by callalily (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm trying to understand this sentence: "The CDC reports that seventy-one percent of the 45 swine flu deaths in the U.S. are those complicated with chronic conditions including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or immune deficiencies."
According to the CDC there have been 3,900 swine flu deaths in the U.S. to date.
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