Parents are usually concerned about germs when their kids go to school. However, never has there been more concern than recently. The swine flu, known as the H1N1 virus mostly attacks children and young people.
What is the Swine Flu?
The swine flu, also known as the H1N1 virus, is a flu virus that’s typically found in pigs. Through mutations the virus infects humans, which causes concern as humans have little and often no immunity against it. Because the swine flu is capable of spreading rapidly around the entire world, it’s harder to treat than the ordinary flu.
Swine Flu Symptoms
Swine flu symptoms are similar to those of regular seasonal flu. They include a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, sore throat, coughing, headaches, muscle aches, chills, diarrhea and vomiting.
Treating the Swine Flu
Although most people contracting the swine flu recover without medical care, doctors can prescribe antiviral drugs to people who are more prone to flu complications. . Also, other family members in the same house of someone infected should take an antiviral drug for protection.
People at High Risk for Swine Flu
The people at highest risk for contracting swine flu are pregnant women and child caretakers, along with health care workers. Others in the high risk category are people who are 65 years of age and older, as well as children under the age of five. People with lung or heart disease and diabetes or those with weak immune systems are also more likely to catch swine flu.
Teaching Children to Wash Hands
Without turning a child into developing a compulsion about germs, parents need to instill the importance of sanitizing hands and face. Pack a hand sanitizer along with wipes in children’s backpacks. Washing and scrubbing hands for 20 seconds with hot soapy water is important, especially after a child has touched doorknobs or stair railings. Parents can make it more interesting by telling kids to say the alphabet twice while sanitizing their hands.
Protecting Kids from Swine Flu Germs
Besides instilling in kids that they need to cover their mouths when they sneeze or cough, parents should show them how to cough using their elbow rather than their hands as this can spread germs to them. And, if they do forget and use their hands, tell them to rewash their hands. Also parents should keep their kids home from school if they have fever or a bad cough and body aches. After October of 2009 a vaccine will be available for the swine flu.
Check Latest Swine Flu Developments
Finally, stay up-to-date on the latest swine flu developments. Just be checking the swine flu website parents can know the areas where the virus is most prevalent. All activities on the latest swine flu developments within the United States are published weekly, noting where there are current cases of the swine flu.
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