H1N1 is here. The last 2 weeks the office has been swamped with children and adolescents with high fevers anf flu like symptoms. Many schools have been hit hard with teacher and student absenteeism.
This is not an unusual scenario for the months of January and February. But, it is only October, so it is too early for the typical seasonal influenza season. What we are seeing in local populations is what we suspect to be H1N1 flu.
Pediatricians are getting calls from frantic parents worried about how H1N1 might affect their children.
What they need to know about H1N1 is the following:
1.) if your child is ill, seek medical care early in the illness.
2.) Talk to your doctor about the H1N1 vaccine and who is eligible to get it.
3.) Check the CDC website for the most accurate details on H1N1.
Many parents have healthy chidlren and dont want them to get sick.
Some tips to prevent illness include:
1.) washing hands with soap and warm water
2.) using hand sanitizer if you cannot wash your hands
3.) disinfect surfaces that have multiple people using it
4.) and keep your kids out of school if they have fevers and flu like symptoms
