You can’t turn on the TV these days without an update on the swine flu pandemic (that means it’s widespread throughout the world). In my part of the world, dozens of schools have closed this week as health officials are attempting to stay ahead of the spreading problem.
As all parents know, schools can be a prime breeding ground for infectious diseases. Kids, who typically haven’t built up immunity to as many germs as adults…in confined spaces with other kids…who typically don’t think about the spread of germs or washing their hands, oh my!
Knowing that my younger son wouldn’t be exposed to the virus at school, at least this week anyway, gave me a bit of relief. I know for a fact that some of his fellow students returned recently from a junket to Mexico, so I was especially relieved by the school closing. But it got me thinking and worrying, so I did a little research that you may find useful.
Although swine flu normally affects only pigs (hence the name), the problem occurs when it’s spread to humans, which typically requires direct contact between human and pig. Once it’s in the human population, however, it can spread from person to person just like any other strain of influenza.
Swine flu is a “type A flu virus” with four subtypes, including H1N1, which, according to the authorities, is what we appear to be dealing with currently. One myth I’d like to debunk deals with acquiring the swine flu from consuming pork. NOT TRUE. According to doctors, you cannot contract swine flu from consuming pork or pork products, so no need to change your diet.
What should parents do to help safeguard their children (and themselves)? First, we should all be on the lookout for the symptoms of swine flu, which are much like the symptoms of any other type of flu: fever, headache, fatigue, lack of appetite, sore throat, persistent cough, nasal congestion, and muscle aches.
In children, however, be aware that diarrhea or vomiting are especially prevalent flu symptoms. Also be aware that adults can be contagious for about a day before symptoms appear and up to seven days after the symptoms appear. Children, however, can be contagious for more than seven days after symptoms first appear.
Second, if you live in an area that has a number of reported cases, it might be a good idea to avoid public places as much as possible. Also, remind your children (and yourself) to wash hands often, and avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth. Studies have shown that viruses and bacteria can live for several hours on surfaces such as desks, tables, doorknobs, etc. And one of the most common ways people catch colds and the flu is by rubbing their nose or eyes after being contaminated.
In the home, parents are advised to routinely clean and disinfect objects such as toys (and other objects small children might put in their mouths), as well as other surfaces using soap, disinfectant and disposable paper towels.
It’s also recommended that parents teach their children “cough etiquette,” which involves turning their heads to cough and sneezing into a disposable tissue (or the inside of the elbow if necessary), rather than sneezing or coughing into their hands.
If you do suspect swine flu (or any flu), of course, see your doctor immediately. There are antiviral flu drugs, such as Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir) available to treat it and, as with most illnesses, early detection is better.