How can I help prevent the spread of H1N1 influenza?

How can I help prevent the spread of H1N1 influenza?

Have your child wash his hands often: Have him use soap and water or gel hand cleanser when there is no soap and water available. Teach him not to touch his eyes, nose, or mouth unless he has washed his hands first.

Teach your child to cover his mouth when he sneezes or coughs: Have him cough into a tissue or his shirtsleeve so he does not spread germs.

Clean shared items: Clean toys, table surfaces, doorknobs, and light switches with a germ-killing cleaner. Do not share towels, silverware, and dishes with people who are sick. Wash bed sheets, towels, silverware, and dishes with soap and water.

Wear a face mask: Wear a mask to cover your mouth and nose when you are near your sick child. This can decrease your risk of getting H1N1 influenza. Ask caregivers where to buy single-use masks.

Keep your child home if he is sick: Keep your child away from others as much as possible while he recovers.

Influenza vaccine: This vaccine helps prevent influenza (flu). Everyone older than age 6 months should get a yearly influenza vaccine. Get the vaccine as soon as it is available, usually in October or November each year.

How is H1N1 influenza treated ?

How is H1N1 influenza treated?

Most healthy children get better within a week. Medicines used to treat H1N1 influenza include:

Acetaminophen: This medicine decreases pain and fever. You can buy acetaminophen without a doctor's order. Ask how much and how often to give it to your child. Follow directions. Acetaminophen can cause liver damage if not taken correctly.

NSAIDs: These medicines decrease pain and fever. You can buy NSAIDs without a doctor's order. Ask your child's caregiver which medicine is right for your child, and how much to give him. Give as directed. NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems if not taken correctly.

Antivirals: This is given to fight an infection caused by a virus.

What are the risks of H1N1 influenza?

H1N1 influenza can cause serious or life-threatening health problems in some children. If your child is not treated for H1N1 influenza, his signs and symptoms may get worse. He may have a high fever and get dehydrated. If he has other health problems, such as asthma or epilepsy, these problems may get worse. Infection may spread to other parts of his body, such as his ears, throat, or sinuses. He may get pneumonia, bronchiolitis, or croup, and he may not be able to breathe. He may get encephalopathy (a brain disease) or meningitis (swelling of the brain coverings). He may have seizures. He may have swelling of the heart or a severe infection.

How can I manage my child's symptoms?

Have your child rest: Make sure your child gets enough rest and sleep. Rest and sleep may help him get better faster.

Give your child plenty of liquids: Ask your child's caregiver how much liquid your child should drink each day and which liquids are best for him. This can help prevent dehydration.

Use a cool-mist humidifier: This can be used in your child's bedroom to increase air moisture. It may make it easier for your child to breathe.

H1n1 Influenza In Children

What is H1N1 influenza?

H1N1 influenza (swine flu) is an infection caused by a virus. H1N1 influenza is easily spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or has close contact with others. Your child may be able to spread H1N1 influenza to others for 1 week or longer after signs or symptoms appear.

What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 influenza?

Severe symptoms are more likely in children younger than 5. They are also more likely in children who have heart or lung disease, or a weak immune system. Signs and symptoms include the following:

1. Fever and chills
2. Headaches, body aches, earaches, and muscle or joint pain
3. Dry cough, runny or stuffy nose, and sore throat
4. Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
5. Tiredness
6. Fast breathing, trouble breathing, or chest pain
7. How is H1N1 influenza diagnosed?

Your child's caregiver will examine your child. Tell him if your child has health problems such as epilepsy or asthma. Tell him if your child has been around sick people or traveled recently. A sample of fluid is collected from your child's nose or throat and tested for the H1N1 influenza virus.

Symptoms And Diagnosing H1N1 Influenza

Symptoms and Complications of H1N1 Influenza

The symptoms of HIN1 flu virus are very similar to those of seasonal human influenza. People with H1N1 flu virus may experience:

body aches
chills
cough
fatigue
fever
headache
loss of appetite
sore throat

Some people with H1N1 flu virus have also reported vomiting and diarrhea.

Diagnosing H1N1 Influenza

A doctor can perform laboratory tests that help identify the flu virus. If you have recently travelled to an area of the world where there is an H1N1 flu outbreak in humans and you have any of the symptoms of the flu, you should see your doctor. Be sure to tell the doctor where you have visited. Before you see your doctor, call them ahead of time so that they can prepare for your visit.

H1N1 Flu Virus, Influenza A (H1N1), Human Swine Flu, Swine Flu

H1N1 influenza is a contagious respiratory disease that causes symptoms similar to those of the seasonal influenza in people. The name "swine flu" was initially used to describe this type of influenza because laboratory tests showed that this strain of flu virus was made up of genes that were very similar to the ones that caused influenza among pigs (swine). Just like humans, pigs can get the flu. However, we now know that the H1N1 flu virus is made up of genes from several different flu viruses that normally circulate among pigs, birds, and humans.

Reasons for H1N1 influenza

The disease is caused by the H1N1 flu virus. The most common subtype , or strain , is influenza type H1N1, and this subtype has caused infection in people also . The letters H and N in the name of the breed stand for proteins found on the surface of the virus , which are used to distinguish between different subtypes .

Influenza viruses are constantly changing their genes , a process called mutation . When found on the swine flu virus in humans , and is said to have " jumped the species barrier . " This means that the virus has mutated in a way that allows them to cause the case in humans . Because humans have no natural protection or immunity to the virus , they are vulnerable to disease . Consists of the H1N1 flu virus is made up of genes from flu viruses that usually cause swine flu , birds and humans.

H1N1 flu virus is contagious . Transmission from person to person from the H1N1 flu virus occurs , and the virus spreads easily among people . It is believed that it is spread the same way as regular seasonal influenza . Can be for a person infected with the H1N1 flu infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms appear and up to 7 or more days after becoming ill.

The flu spreads from person to person when the virus enters the body through the eyes, nose and / or mouth . Coughs and sneezes release germs into the air , where they can be breathed in by others . The virus can also rest on hard surfaces such as doorknobs and ATM buttons , and counters. And can the person who touches these surfaces with their hands and then touching the eyes , mouth, nose or infected with the virus. You can not get infected with the H1N1 flu from eating pork products that have been properly cooked - heated up to 71 degrees Celsius ( 160 degrees Fahrenheit ) .

Symptoms and Complications of H1N1 Influenza

Symptoms and Complications of H1N1 Influenza

The symptoms of HIN1 flu virus are very similar to those of seasonal human influenza. People with H1N1 flu virus may experience:

body aches
chills
cough
fatigue
fever
headache
loss of appetite
sore throat

Some people with H1N1 flu virus have also reported vomiting and diarrhea.

The severity of symptoms can vary from mild to severe and sometimes require hospitalization. In some cases, severe complications such as pneumonia and respiratory failure can cause death. Like the seasonal flu, H1N1 flu may worsen existing chronic medical conditions.