Published: September 30, 2009 02:37 pm      

Local expert talks H1N1

Most of us are familiar with “the flu” that we hear about each year. And this year, we’ve also heard a lot about the H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic. As a parent, the best thing you can do to protect your family is fully understand the flu and its symptoms and implications.

The World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control define flu, or influenza, as an infection of the lungs (respiratory system) caused by a virus that can be passed from person to person. A flu virus becomes “pandemic” when the disease outbreak has spread rapidly around the world. Influenza originates in birds and animals, and then changes to affect people as well.

How is influenza diagnosed?

What doctors diagnose as “influenza” is often an influenza-like illness caused by a respiratory virus other than the flu. A nasal swab test (viral culture) is necessary to prove if your or your child’s respiratory illness is actually caused by the flu virus.

What is H1N1?

Flu viruses are classified into three types: A, B and C. Type A viruses cause most of the influenzas epidemics. They exist, reproduce and mutate in animals, such as swines, horses, seals, dolphins and whales, as well as in geese, ducks, domestic birds, chicken and turkeys. Then, they can affect humans. Type B and Type C viruses exist only in humans, with Type B causing only relatively mild infections.

How is H1N1 spread?

H1N1 is spread person-to-person through the coughing or sneezing of infected people. You or your child can pick it up from shaking hands or touching contaminated objects, such as doorknobs, phones or shared computer keyboards.

How long is a person contagious?

The “infectious period” for a confirmed case of the H1N1 virus infection is one day prior to the onset of the illness through seven days after onset. You may have an acute respiratory illness if you suffer from at least two of the following: nasal congestion, sore throat, and/or cough, with or without a fever or fever symptoms.

During the infectious period, avoid close contact with the infected person. Close contact is defined at within about six feet of the ill person.

What treatments are available?

If infected, antiviral drugs, such as Tamiflu and Relenza, are used to treat H1N1. The effectiveness of these drugs may be influenced by widespread use — in other words, the virus may become resistant to the drugs.

There are special considerations for children. Aspirin or aspirin-containing products should not be given to someone with H1N1. Instead, Tylenol, Advil or Motrin are recommended for the reduction of a fever.

And, of course, there are some general prevention and precaution guidelines you and your family can take to hopefully avoid getting the flu:

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or into your elbow (sleeve) if you don’t have a tissue. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

• Wash your hands often with warm water and soap, especially after you cough or sneeze. A good rule of thumb is to teach your children to wash their hands long enough to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice. Alcohol-based hands cleaners (ones with at least 60 percent alcohol) also are effective.

• Teach your child to avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

• Stay home if you have the virus and are in the infectious period. The CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others for seven days after symptoms present.

Ted Lai is a medical doctor with Family Medicine-Zionsville and Witham Health Services.