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Step 1
1. Know the difference between cold and flu symptoms. Influenza (most often shortened to flu) usually comes on quite suddenly, is accompanied by fever, aches and pains, and sometimes a sometimes a dry cough rather than one that is trying to loosen phlegm (or excess mucous).
Unlike colds, the onset of the flu often lacks the runny nose, and congestion usually associated with colds. If there is fever, give an over the counter fever reducing medication (if you have used this successfully in the past) and take your child to get professional medical care immediately. -
Step 2
If you suspect flu, be sure to ask the physician which type of flu is present. In some localities only the health departments have the ability to determine which strain of flu is present. In many cases physicians are treating any influenza-like symptoms with fever reducing medication and Tamiflu. Knowing which flu can help you decide about future vaccinations.
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Step 3
Ask your physician about Tamiflu and when and whether it is appropriate for your child. Tamiflu is an antiviral medication that lessens the chance of serious complications developing such as pneumonia. Overall use of this medication has overwhelmingly lessened the severity and duration of the virus.
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Step 4
Get a physician's opinion about the wait time between the end of Tamiflu and the flu shot or mist. This is important if your child is treated for the flu before receiving the vaccination.
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Step 5
Get your pediatrician's advice about whether you child should take the H1N1 vaccine, and whether it should be the shot or mist. Physicians are not certain whether Swine flu can reoccur. So while taking the vaccine isn't a guarantee that your child won't become sick with it again, the hope is that it will lessen the severity.
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Step 6
Keep your information current. The CDC or Center for Disease Control and Prevention has a website and a 24 hour number that has accurate information and the national picture of how the disease is being contained. Your local radio, television, and newspapers are good sources for availability and location of flu clinics. The local school and the school nurse can give you very specific information about the population where the majority of your child's time is spent.
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Step 7
Practice good hygiene by washing hands before and after school, and always before eating and after using the bathroom. Stock up on hand sanitizer for those situations where soap and water are not available.
Cover coughs with an arm rather than hands. This greatly reduces the number of airborne viruses in the air that are available to be inhaled or ingested.
