Q: From a pregnant mother: “The swine flu is all over the news. What is it, and what can I do to keep my family healthy?”
A: The swine flu is a new influenza A, H1N1 virus strain never before known to exist. It combines elements of previously seen swine influenza, avian influenza and human influenza and appears to be unusual because it can pass directly from person to person like the human flu we are more used to.
People are worried because cases of this flu virus have been have been documented in 10 states and Mexico during the past week. In addition, swine influenza cases also have been reported in Canada, New Zealand, Spain, France and Israel. There is concern that it could spread rapidly throughout the world. This would be a “pandemic”.
It seems at this point as if the symptoms are nearly identical to those of the common flu. If you or your child develops fever with a sore throat and/or a cough., (especially if you have traveled to one of the areas where swine flu has already presented itself) then call your doctor for advice! Please be reassured that many more people get sick with this flu than require hospitalization; and so far, only one American has died.
Although there exists no vaccine for the swine flu, there are several helpful tips to minimize your risk of getting the illness even if exposed. The most important of these is handwashing! While there is so much concern about the swine flu, and while it seems to be popping up in new places every day, it certainly would be smart to wash your child’s face and hands frequently. This would mean: wash her hands and face whenever she comes in from the outside world (school or the grocery store or the library, etc) and especially before she eats. Wash your own face and hands too! Also—a bit more difficult to implement—try to keep your child’s hands out of her mouth, eyes and nose! If your child does get sick, please notify her doctor and also practice smart respiratory hygiene: teach her to sneeze or cough into her elbow (or sleeve). And keep her home from school so she doesn’t give her illness to her friends.
What is the treatment? There is no vaccine for this flu, but there are two medicines which will work against it. Fortunately, the viral strains tested so far are susceptible to two antiviral medicines called oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). Please note that, as with any other viral infection, antibiotics will not be helpful!
We need to be patient while we all learn what we can about this virus. There are at least two critical questions to keep your eye out for in the news: How virulent is this new H1N1 swine flu, ie how sick will it make the people who get it? And, secondly, how contagious is it, what is the risk of “catching” it from other people? As the answers to these questions emerge, we will all have a better sense of what it is we are up against.
For excellent, current and frequently updated information, visit the CDC Swine Influenza Web site (www.cdc.gov/swineflu/index.htm).This site will be updated at 3:00 p.m. ET daily.
Thanks so much for writing and keep washing those hands!
Dr. Hippo
Tags: flu vaccine; swine flu treatment, H1N1, influenza A, pandemic, swine flu
This has been the number one question around and everyone who gets sick whether it’s just a regular flu/cold or not worries that they have caught the h1n1.
I like your blog and definitely will point my mommy forum to it.
Thanks for this post. I have been most concerned about this. I have been feeling under the weather lately and wondered if I had the symptoms for swine flu.
Thank you for the post, it was very informative. I think sometimes the media plays things up just to scare the general public!
I’m happy to finally see facts about the H1N1. There is such a huge fear that this will be the next SARS that it’s nice to see strategies on how to prevent transmission, etc. Thanks so much for all your great information!
I am very pleased to know that it is not a life threatening situation like what was expected.
Even though I am hearing so much about this lately, I find myself not worrying enough about it. Since I studied in nursing, I believe I know as much as I can about virus transmission to help keep my family healthy and free of the virus. Luckily, not many people in my province have come into contact with the virus. Hopefully this won’t become a pandemic like some think it might.
Thanks for this post I was concerned about this flu for the summer as our family will be on a summer vacation at a theme park and be in contact with many others.
Thanks for providing Further information it is useful for us. It is very interesting information. You write so beautifully and profoundly… great job keep up the good work.