Swine Flu & Children
According to the Health Protection Agency 5 to 14-year-old children are the group predominately affected by Swine Flu. Therefore it is important to be able to recognise a child's symptoms and to know what to do if they develop the disease. A child's immune system isn't strong and prepared at these ages to sufficiently tackle a virus as powerful as the H1N1 also known as Swine Flu.
With the return of the education system from summer vacation young children are exposed to many viruses, especially in schools and playgrounds as swine flu transfers from person to person by coughing or sneezing, so the chances of fully protecting a child from catching swine flu or even seasonal flu are slim. This means parents have to be extra alert to any signs of feverish illnesses a child is showing.
Since the symptoms of Swine Flu are basically similar to those of regular flu, it may be difficult for parents differentiate between the two. The MyHealthPortal Swine Flu Service will provide to its subscribers the information and support needed in order to empower each and every one, to protect their family the best way possible.
1. Identifying Swine Flu Symptoms In Children
One problem in identifying symptoms in children, and especially in infants, is the fact that they lack verbal way to express themselves, and for older children it might be difficult to fully explaintheir symptoms. One thing that can be done is to make sure a thermometer is available to take a child’s temperature.
As in adults, the key symptom is a temperature of 38° C or above and the appearance of two or more of the following symptoms:
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Runny Nose and Sneezing
- Sore Throat
- Shortness of Breath
- Loss of Appetite
- Vomiting and Diarrhoea
- Aching Muscles, Limb and Joint Pain
- Listlessness/and/or sleepyness in babies
If an infant less than one year old develops one or more of the above symptoms, it is advisable to contact the GP or the MyHealthPortal swine flu service support line:
· Phone: 020-7486-2300
· SMS: +44 (0)-7797-805-817
· Mail: medicalteam@@myhealthportal.co.uk -– Click here
· Via the MediQuest Box at www.myhealthportal.co.uk – Click here
2. Treatment for Children With Swine Flu
If it is confirmed by a GP that a child has swine flu, it is essential that they stay at home, and keep away from nursery or school, in order to prevent them from transferring the virus to other children. Generally, the symptoms should be treated like any other cold or flu.
It is vital to make sure they drink plenty of liquids, get lots of rest and take paracetamol to help control their temperature.
Treating the child with antiviral drugs is subject to the doctor's decision. Tamiflu is considered to be safe for infants aged one and above, at a reduced dose. Relenza (an inhaler), which is generally given to pregnant women, can be used to treat children aged five and older.
Young Children and Tamiflu
It is well agreed among doctors and medicine professionals that Tamiflu and Relenza should not be given to babies aged under one.
However, after evaluating all the available evidence, the European Medicines Agency has advised that infants under one may be treated with Tamiflu, under the following conditions:
- The recommended dosage to treat infants under one is 2-3mg/kg twice daily for five days.
- Treating children will be only under medical supervision.
- If needed, the capsule content can be diluted in order to give the correct dose.
In any event, treating infants under one with Tamiflu will be under strict medical supervision and in a case of need.
3. Children and Vaccination
Although little is known on the subject of Swine Flu vaccination, how efficient it would be and its side effects, it seems the majority of children who are not in a risk group (with chronic diseases) have shown complete recovery from the disease, and therefore experts agree that children, other than those in at-risk groups, do not need to be given priority for the swine flu vaccine.
The MyHealthPortal swine flu service page will continue to be updated regarding vaccination and prioritised groups. More information available through MyHealthPortal medical support line by phone: 020-7486-2300 or SMS: +44 (0)-7797-805-817
4. School
Most Children in England and Wales are now back to school, and other will join by next week, after the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has issued the advice of keeping schools open despite the pandemic. The situation is not considered to be severe enough to justify the closing of education establishments, so schools and childcare providers are open, in order to allowchildren to continue their education. Parents are strongly advised to send their children to schools – as long as they don't have any symptoms of flu. If an education establishment is about to be closed, authorities will advise what to do then.
MyHealthPortal is also committed to provide its large no. of subscribers the latest Swine Flu updates and national guidelines. Log-on to the MyHealthPortal Swine Flu service page to find out the latest on Swine Flu.
There are some who believe that since Swine Flu acts like seasonal flu, perhaps it is better to have the child catching the flu in order to build their resistance in the future. This is strongly discouraged!!
First of all, there is no evidence that catching swine flu once will necessarily protect from strains that may emerge later. This means that is it theoretically possible to catch Swine Flu twice. Secondly, we are yet to learn everything possible about this strain and the Health Protection Agency strongly advises people to avoid intentionally infecting themselves, or their children, with the virus, for their own safety, and the safety of others who are then put at risk.
Back to Swine Flu service page