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FAUST, LARRY
MD, FAAP
PEDIATRIC SPECIALISTS OF NASHVILLE

H1N1 ( Swine Flu) virus: The H1N1 flu virus is similar to the seasonal flu that we experience each year. While serious complications can occur, most people with this virus have recovered at home with no treatment. The routine use of anti-viral medications is not recommended and there is potential for resistance to medication to develop with routine use.

Symptoms:
The symptoms of this new flu virus are similar to the symptoms of the seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, fatigue, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.

How it is spread:
H1N1 flu spreads from person to person by such things as exposure to droplets from cough and sneeze and direct hand contact. It is important that your child not be exposed to other children that are sick, and if your child has flu-like illness that he or she does not expose other people. If your child has flu symptoms, he or she should stay at home until the symptoms have resolved.

Things you can do to keep your child healthy:
Cover your nose and mouth with tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Wash hands often with soap and water, specially after cough or sneezing. If soap and water is not available, use an alcohol based hand sanitizer.
Avoid contact with sick people.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs sperad in this manner.

When to seek medical care : like seasonal flu, complications can occur with H1N1. 

You should call us if your child becomes ill and experiences any of the following:
*not drinking enough fluids
*not urinating as much as usual
*persistent vomiting
*fever returns after being absent for a day
*change in fever pattern: for example temperature was 101 degrees for several days and now it's 103 degrees 

You should also call us right away if your child has any underlying heart, lung, blood, kidney, or endocrine disorder of if he/she has any problems with the immune system or If your child is taking asprine or steriods. 

You should seek emergency medical care if your child experiences any of the following:
*trouble breathing
*severe vomiting
*blue or grey skin color
*not waking up or interacting as usual
*being so irritable that he or she does not want to be held

If you or your child is sick with flu, stay home from work or school and limit contacts with others to avoid spreading this virus. Further information can also be found at the CDC web site www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.