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
2 comments:
Hi Dr. Shah, I am a friend of Sepi Azari's. She was present with you last Sat. at a marketing event. She speaks highly of you and recommended your blog as an informative spot for parents. I have twins - girl/girl fraternal, 19 months old and they have been very healthy up to Jan. 2010. In Jan. one of them (A) was hospitalized for an unknown virus, then she had a bilateral ear infection, and then recently (last week) she was diagnosed with Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease. The other one (B) has an ear infection and we're treating that with Cefprozil. I think twin B is also getting the Hand-Foot-Mouth disease as she's starting to show little bumps on her back. These are natural twins (no help with conception, no history of twins in the family; just old age of mom during conception [35]). They are not in daycare, and we're super mindful of germ transfer but they are still getting these viruses that transfer easily with exposure. What can I do to ensure they're immune system is strong? Thanks in advance for your advice. Sherry
Sherry,
I am sorry to hear your kids have been ill.
Doctors estimate that most children get between 6-10 colds per year. Most pediatricians assume that a healthy diet will assist in developing a healthy immune system, but really it is a question that science and research are still trying to answer. Good Luck.
thedrmommy
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