Swine Flu Prevention: Tips for Parents

What advice do you have for parents with children in school?

"We know that right now we don’t have to close schools and stop movies and do other things to prevent infection except in those areas where cases have been reported. Based on finding of the virus in a certain areas, authorities may close day care centers and public events. But parents should not take children out of day care or school unless the public health authorities have recommended such a step," he says.

In situations like this, sometimes mass hysteria sets in and people overreact. What can be done about this?

"Just be aware of what’s going on in your area. You are always going to get some people who will become hysterical, withdraw their kids from school," Bocchini says. "But that is not necessary at this point. Follow recommendations of public health authorities. This is where leadership is very important. Leaders should let people know that this is serious, but not to overreact, and do what they should do, based on public health recommendations."

What if your child gets sick? What are symptoms of swine flu in children?

"Influenza is very different from the common cold. Classically, with influenza, children have sudden onset of significant fever with respiratory symptoms. High fever, chills. Older children will complain of headache, scratchy sore throat, and muscle aches. Children will develop a nasal congestion and cough."

Is swine flu easier to detect in young children and teens?

"Yes," says Bocchini. "An infant can’t describe his symptoms and may have more nonspecific symptoms. If they have a fever, we want to see them."

Can my pediatrician tell me for sure whether my child has H1N1 swine flu?

Not right away. There are rapid tests that can identify type A flu in about 30 minutes. But these rapid tests can't tell H1N1 swine flu from seasonal H1N1 flu or from seasonal H3N2 flu.  And the test is not very sensitive. That means a negative test does not mean a child does not have the flu. For this reason, many doctors chose not to offer the rapid test.

Lab tests can identify H1N1 swine flu, but not in time to get a definitive diagnosis in time to begin antiviral treatment. Health departments are no longer testing specimens unless they come from people with serious flu illness, although some private labs can do the tests.

Is flu more dangerous for very young children?

"Yes. Children under 2 have a higher risk of complications. Seasonal influenza is associated with a significant risk of hospitalization in children 2 and under. Children under 2 have a similar hospitalization rate similar to adults over 65," he says.