A Parent's Guide to H1N1 Influenza

With all the headlines about the global H1N1 influenza (swine flu) pandemic, you might be worried about keeping your family safe. But the truth is, there's no reason to panic. Right now, there's no evidence that H1N1 flu is any worse — or more dangerous — than the common seasonal flu.

Still, it's important to take precautions, like washing your hands often. Read on to see what you can do to protect your family and care for kids with flu-like symptoms.

How Can My Family Avoid Catching the H1N1 Flu?

Your family can avoid catching the flu by getting vaccinated against the H1N1 flu when it becomes available and following these precautionary guidelines:

• Cover noses and mouths with a tissue when sneezing or coughing and put the used tissues in the trash.
• Cough or sneeze into an upper sleeve (not into hands) if a tissue is not available.
• Clean hands after coughing or sneezing — wash with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth.

Do My Kids Need to Get Vaccinated?

Yes. Since kids are at higher risk of catching the H1N1 flu and having complications from it, they should be vaccinated with the H1N1 flu vaccine. This vaccine does not protect against seasonal flu, so it's also important for kids to also get the seasonal flu vaccine. Both vaccines may be administered on the same day.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the H1N1 vaccine for the following groups:

• pregnant women
• people who live with (or care for) children younger than 6 months old
• kids and young adults between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old
• people ages 25 to 64 with chronic health conditions or compromised immune systems
• health care and emergency services personnel

Is the Vaccine Safe?

The H1N1 vaccine is still being tested in clinical trials, so at this point, we don't have conclusive evidence about any potential risks of getting the vaccine. However, scientists expect it will be similar to the seasonal flu vaccine, which is recommended for kids and pregnant women and considered safe.

While very few people get side effects from the seasonal flu vaccine, those who do may have soreness or swelling at the site of the injection or mild side effects, such as headache or low-grade fever. Some people who get the nasal spray vaccine also may develop mild flu-like symptoms, including runny nose, headache, vomiting, muscle aches, and fever.

Although these side effects might last for a day, the H1N1 flu can potentially sicken someone for up to 3 weeks, and can cause life-threatening complications in very young children or people with chronic diseases. As a result, doctors believe that the benefits of getting the H1N1 vaccine outweigh any potential risks.

When and Where Is the Vaccine Available?

The H1N1 vaccine should be available in October. It will be given in places where the seasonal flu vaccine is available, like hospitals, clinics, community centers, pharmacies, doctor's offices, and schools. Many kids will receive the H1N1 vaccine at school.

Pregnant women, kids age 5 or younger, and children with chronic medical conditions should receive the vaccine as soon as it becomes available. People in these groups will be given preferential treatment when getting the vaccine or in times of limited vaccine supply.

What if There's an Outbreak Before We're Vaccinated?

If an outbreak occurs, you can help protect your family by being cautious about avoiding germs. Keep kids away from public places, like sporting events, theaters, churches, and places where they're likely to come in close contact with others. Take recommended precautions, like washing hands or using a hand sanitizer often, and do not touch the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Schools will follow H1N1 flu outbreak preparedness plans, which may include keeping kids with siblings who have the H1N1 flu or those with chronic conditions separated from others or home from school for a few days.

If your child is at risk of developing complications from the flu and has been in close contact with someone who has the flu, call your doctor. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe antiviral medicines as a precaution against the H1N1 flu.