It’s Here: Preparing Your Kids for Swine Flu Season

By Kelly Turner on September 25th, 2009

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There is always a bit of a buzz around flu season, but this year’s onslaught of Swine Flu has made it more of a vibrating panic.  Swine flu (or N1H1 as we are supposed call it to not offend the pork industry and little piggies’ feelings) is a new strain of flu that has developed into a global pandemic, resulting in over 2,837 deaths, as of September 4.

Children are more susceptible to the disease as their little bodies haven’t been exposed to as many bacteria and viruses.  It’s up to parents to take preventative measures to keep their kids healthy more now than ever. Luckily, we have compiled a list of ways to keep your child, and you, healthy this flu season.

• Revisit proper hygiene with your kids. Clean hands are your biggest defense against contracting the flu.  Covering coughs and sneezes are also good practices.
• Remind your child to avoid rubbing their eyes, nose and mouth- this is how germs spread.
• The CDC recommends getting your family vaccinated for both seasonal flu and H1N1(they are separate vaccines). Priority groups for the H1N1 vaccine — different than those for the seasonal flu — include people ages 6 months to 24 years and people who take care of or live with children under 6 months old. Be aware: multi-dose vials of H1N1 vaccine contain thimerosal, an antibacterial additive that contains mercury and some believe it to be harmful to children. Single-dose syringes and inhaler vaccine products will be thimerosal-free and are recommended for young children and pregnant women.
• Avoid contact with sick people as much as possible.
• Keep your child home if they are sick for 7 days after their symptoms begin or until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
• If contact with an infected person must be made, wear a face mask, or have them wear one to avoid exposure.

H1N1 can be scary, but prevention is your best chance to avoid contracting the virus.  Thankfully, preventative measures are much the same as with the regular flu, or avoiding germs in general.  Remind your kids it’s especially important this season to protect your loved ones from getting sick.

For more information, visit www.Flu.gov