There continues to be a lot of confusion and worry about swine flu. A presidential advisory committee says one thing, the CDC another, the evening news yet another. Flu viruses can change and become more virulent (making you sicker).This is the cause for much of the worry behind any “new” strain. So far this has not happened with swine flu.

Based on the best information we have, the “new” strain of H1N1 influenza (so-called “swine flu”) is not likely to be any more dangerous to the vast majority of normally healthy children than the “usual” strains of flu that arrive each winter.  Both strains are expected to be in the community during the upcoming flu season. However, the new influenza virus appears to be much more easily passed from person to person (i.e. more contagious) and may become active in the community well before the vaccine is available. As always, cover your cough, wash your hands, and stay home if sick. Seasonal flu vaccines will be available and in good supply in plenty of time for the typical flu season and we encourage you to vaccinate your children to both flu types once they are available. See our website for updates as to availability of vaccines.

In an attempt to minimize the spread of these viruses, both in the community and in our clinic; should your child develop a flu-like illness, we encourage you to care for your normally healthy child at home for the 5-7 day duration of the illness. Provide:

• rest,
• plenty of fluids by mouth, and
• acetaminophen or ibuprofen (not both) to help reduce fever and improve comfort

Anti-viral medication is unlikely to reduce symptoms very much, if at all; or to significantly shorten the duration of illness. Office clinics such as ours are not able to distinguish swine flu from other forms of flu. Swine flu testing takes several days in a specialty lab. We will not be providing prescriptions for anti-viral medications based on symptoms alone but will follow CDC guidelines as they are developed. These guidelines may change as the flu season evolves.

Below is a list of more serious symptoms of illness that should prompt a phone call any time of the year, flu season or otherwise.  Your child will need to be evaluated in our office or a hospital emergency room if they:

• Are under two years of age with high fever longer than 3 days
• Are having severe distress with breathing or bluish skin color
• Are urinating fewer than three times in 24 hours
• Are not waking up or interacting
• Are being so irritable that they don’t want to be held
• Had flu-like symptoms that improved, but then returned with fever and worse cough
• Have fever with a rash

We anticipate that, just as during the initial outbreak this Spring, the media will over-react to this Fall’s outbreak and will dramatize the rare cases of severe illness or those with serious complications of influenza. We urge you not to panic. We will try to update the most recent and accurate information we have on our website, www.ballardpediatrics.com. An excellent source of information is the King County Public Health website, www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/preparedness/pandemicflu/swineflu.aspx. This site will answer most of your questions and we encourage you to access it.

Please check the websites first (your questions may be answered without a phone call) but as always, do not hesitate to call if you are seriously worried about your child. Thank you.

- Doctors and Staff of Ballard Pediatric Clinic

More Swine Flu Resources:

• King County Department of Public Health
• WA State Department of Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• King County Public Health has established a Swine Flu Hotline for the public providing health and safety information at 877-903-KING (5464). This is staffed from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and interpreters are available.

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