Help my mother with flu prevention

Influenza A / H1N1 epidemic is booming worldwide. Many parents are extremely worried, confused and do not know how to handle when they see their children have symptoms of the flu.

How much should we worry about?

When pandemic influenza A / H1N1 broke out earlier this year, health experts were worried about the 'ghosts' of the 1918 flu pandemic (bird flu pandemic caused by birds, killing about 40 million lives). people) will return. However, thankfully, the influenza A / H1N1 virus is only as dangerous as the regular seasonal flu.

" Currently, the H1N1 influenza virus has not shown any signs of change ," said Dr. Fishman, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Pennsylvania. ' Fortunately, the current strain of the A / H1N1 flu virus is not as dangerous as we are concerned about, the danger level of them as well as the normal seasonal flu viruses. '

However, he also warned that the influenza A / H1N1 virus could transform into a more dangerous new strain of virus. Therefore, people need to be vigilant and use preventive measures such as washing hands with antibacterial soap and wearing masks. When you have symptoms of influenza A / H1N1 virus, you should stay home or go to a medical facility.

Charlie Houley, 8 years old, at Annapolis, Md., Is being vaccinated against A / H1N1 flu (Photo: NYT)

Children are at higher risk for influenza A / H1N1 infection?

Children are more likely to be resistant to influenza A / H1N1 viruses, on the other hand, children and teens often participate in collective activities like in schools, so they are at risk of getting the flu. higher. However, the rate of children dying from influenza A / H1N1 is only equal to seasonal flu.

According to a federal health agency report, at least 36 children in the United States died of influenza A / H1N1 infection, some of them fatal after being infected with influenza A / H1N1. Meanwhile, about 40% of children in the United States get infected with seasonal flu every year, of which 50-100 die. Until now, health experts have not been able to confirm whether influenza A / H1N1 is more dangerous than seasonal flu.

When is there a vaccine for influenza A / H1N1?

The US government plans to produce 195 million doses of influenza A / H1N1 vaccine. Currently, the first batch of 40 million doses of vaccine is undergoing testing and is expected to be released by October 15. The next 30 million doses will be shipped at the end of this October.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that vaccines will be given priority to health workers, children and young people, pregnant women and women who are raising children under 6 months of age. To effectively prevent influenza A / H1N1, each person will be given two doses of vaccine separated during 3 weeks.

Flu mask (Photo: NYT)

Symptoms of influenza A / H1N1 infection?

In children, there are signs: fever accompanied by cough, difficulty breathing, pale skin, unconsciousness, dislike to chat, lethargic and disoriented. When your child has the above signs, you should contact your nearest health authority immediately so that your child can receive timely care.

For adults, there are common symptoms such as fever, sore throat, sneezing, runny nose, muscle aches . In addition, most patients also have other symptoms such as abdominal pain, sadness vomiting or diarrhea. When the disease becomes severe, the patient will: breathe fast, have a feeling of shortness of breath, sudden dizziness, purple lips or limbs, drowsiness .

Should I get the seasonal flu vaccine?

Have. The influenza A / H1N1 vaccine has not yet been put into use, so it is now possible to vaccinate the seasonal flu to help you and your family improve your body's resistance, reduce the risk of influenza virus infection. A / H1N1.