H1N1 (Swine) Flu Virus: Facts for Parents (& Expecting)
Prevention & Treatment
- Vaccination is the best prevention. All children 6 months and older should receive flu vaccine.
- Antiviral Drugs
- Do not stop breastfeeding if you are sick. Your breast milk is good for the baby.
- The symptoms for all flu are similar. However, be on the lookout for signs of serious illness.
- Don’t wait; call your doctor immediately if your child gets sick with flu-like symptoms.
- Relieve the symptoms of flu with certain over-the-counter medications.
- Emergency medical care may become necessary. Know the signs.
Antiviral Medications for Treatment
If your child gets sick, antiviral drugs can make the illness milder and make him or her feel better faster. They may also prevent serious influenza complications. Most people do not need these antiviral drugs to fully recover from the flu.
- Children younger than 5 years old and children with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma and diabetes, might benefit from antiviral medications. Ask the doctor about any special treatment requirements.
- Even if the child is feeling a little better, he or she should continue taking antiviral medication as directed by the doctor.
Mixing Tamiflu® with Sweet Liquids If your doctor prescribes Tamiflu® capsules for your child and your child cannot swallow them, the prescribed capsules may be opened and mixed with a sweet thick liquid. |
Guidance on Breastfeeding
Mothers who are breastfeeding should continue to nurse their babies while being treated for the flu. Breast milk passes on antibodies from the mother to a baby. Antibodies help fight off infection.
- If possible, only adults who are not sick should care for infants, including providing feedings.
- If you are too sick to breastfeed, pump and have someone give your milk to your baby.
- Be careful not to cough or sneeze in the baby’s face; wash your hands often with soap and water.
Flu Symptoms
It is important to watch for any signs that your child doesn’t feel well and to pay attention to any unusual behavior. Although the symptoms for all flu are similar, infants could have a fever or be lethargic, but may not have a cough or other respiratory symptoms.
All types of flu can cause:
- Fever
- Coughing and/or sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headaches and/or body aches
- Chills
- Fatigue
What to Do If Your Child Gets Sick
Call your doctor right away if your child gets sick. Antiviral medications used to treat flu in some patients work best when started within the first 2 days (48 hours) of getting sick.
- The doctor may start your child on antiviral drugs even after 48 hours when symptoms began, especially if the child has been hospitalized or is at high risk for flu-related complications.
- Children younger than 5 years old and children with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma and diabetes, may be at higher risk for complications from flu. Check with your doctor about any special treatment requirements for them.
- Some over-the-counter medicines are approved for children to use to relieve flu symptoms.
- If your child has a fever, use fever-reducing medicines that your doctor recommends based on your child’s age.
- A fever is a temperature taken with a thermometer that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius). If you are not able to measure a temperature, the child might have a fever if he or she feels warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or shivering.
- Keep your sick child home until at least 24 hours after the child no longer has a fever or signs of a fever (100°F or 37.8°C) (without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol®).
- Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and drinks clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants, Pedialyte®) to keep from being dehydrated.
- Keep your sick child in a separate room in the house as much as possible to limit contact with household members who are not sick.
- Consider having just one person be the main caregiver for the sick child.
- You can consider sending your child back to school after at least 24 hours has passed since his or her temperature returned to normal WITHOUT the use of medications.
Over-the-Counter Medication Guidance
Your child or teen will probably feel miserable with body aches, sore throat, and other symptoms of the flu. Taking certain over-the-counter medicines can help relieve their flu symptoms. A doctor will decide if antiviral medications are necessary.
Call the doctor’s office if your child experiences any side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, rash, or unusual behavior. See Caring for Someone Sick at Home for more details.
Patient Age | DOs | DON’Ts |
Children/teenagers 5 – 18 years old | DO take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, Nuprin®), to relieve symptoms. They do not contain aspirin. DO Check ingredient labels on over-the-counter cold and flu medications to see if they contain aspirin. | DON’T take aspirin or products that contain aspirin (e.g. Pepto-Bismol®). This can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye’s syndrome. |
Children younger than 4 years of age | DO ask your doctor before using over-the-counter medications (e.g. Children’s Tylenol®, Children’s Motrin®). DO follow the doctor’s instructions exactly to avoid dosing errors. | DON’T give children over-the-counter cough and cold drugs containing antihistamines to help them sleep. |
Children younger than 2 years of age | DO use a cool-mist humidifier and a suction bulb to help clear away mucus. DO follow the doctor’s instructions for care. | DON’T give over-the-counter cough and cold drugs to children younger than 2 years old. |
When to Get Emergency Medical Care
If your child has any of these signs, seek emergency medical care right away:
- fast breathing or trouble breathing
- bluish or gray skin color
- not drinking enough fluids
- severe or persistent vomiting
- not urinating or no tears when crying
- not waking up or not interacting
- being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Additional Resources
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