• An outbreak of Swine Flu in humans started in Mexico and the U.S. in April 2009.
• By June, it had spread to most countries in the world.
• So far, this Swine Flu virus is not as dangerous as feared.

• The symptoms of Swine Flu are the same as those seen with regular human influenza.
• The main symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat and runny nose.
• Fever is usually present.
• Other common symptoms are muscle pain, headache and fatigue.
• Some people also have vomiting and diarrhea, but never as the only symptom.

• If Swine Flu is widespread in your community and your child develops flu symptoms with fever, then he or she probably has Swine Flu.
• Your child doesn't need any special tests.
• You should call your doctor if your child is HIGH-RISK for complications of flu: 1) under 2 years of age OR 2) has underlying health problems. (e.g., see the HIGH-RISK list)
• For LOW-RISK children, you don't need to call or see your child's doctor, unless your child develops a possible complication of the flu.

• Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is the main antiviral drug used to treat Swine Flu in children.
• Treatment is recommended for any patient with severe symptoms AND for HIGH-RISK patients (see that List) with any flu symptoms.
• Treatment is generally not recommended for LOW-RISK children with mild to moderate Swine Flu illness (per CDC).
• Most patients recover without taking Tamiflu.

• Symptoms usually start within 4-6 days of exposure to a person with swine flu (7 days is an outer limit). If more than 7 days pass from exposure without your child developing symptoms, your child should be safe and not get swine flu.
• Keep your child home and out of child care or school for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone (CDC: August 2009).
• The Swine Flu virus is spread by airborne droplets, from sneezing and coughing, just like other influenza viruses. It also can be transmitted by hands contaminated with secretions.
• Swine Flu is NOT transmitted by eating pork.

• You have other questions or concerns

• Wash hands often with soap and water.
• Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth. Germs on the hands can spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Try to avoid unnecessary visits to the ER and urgent care centers because those are the places where you are more likely to be exposed to Swine Flu, if you don't have it.

• Cover the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing.
• Limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Stay home from school or work for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone (CDC, August 2009).

• Face masks refer to disposable masks labeled as surgical or dental masks.
• Face masks may help reduce the risk of getting swine flu in crowded settings.
• Avoiding sick people and frequent handwashing are more effective preventive measures.
• HIGH-RISK people: If crowded setting cannot be avoided, face masks are recommended.
• LOW-RISK people: Face masks are not necessary. (Possible exception: households where a family member has Swine Flu).
• Sick people with suspected influenza should wear a face mask if they must leave their home to seek medical care.

• The best way to prevent Swine (H1N1) Flu is to get a yearly seasonal flu vaccine.
• This year, H1N1 is included in the regular flu vaccine and no separate flu shot is needed.

• Tamiflu can be used for prevention following close contact with a person who has Swine Flu.
• It is only recommended for HIGH-RISK patients (CDC).(see that list)

• You have other questions or concerns

Treating Swine Flu - Tamiflu:

• Tamiflu can reduce the symptoms of Swine Flu illness.
• The benefits are limited: they usually reduce the time your child is sick by 1 to 1.5 days. They reduce the symptoms, but do not cure the disease.
• For optimal results, antiviral drugs (such as Tamiflu) should be started within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms.
• Indications: Severe symptoms OR underlying health problems (HIGH-RISK group)
• Most patients have mild to moderate symptoms and Tamiflu treatment is not necessary.
• Unnecessary overuse of Tamiflu causes resistant strains of the virus. (8/2009 some resistance has occurred)
• Tamiflu also has side effects: Vomiting in 10% of children.

• The drug Tamiflu may help prevent Swine Flu (prophylaxis).
• Indications: Recent close contact with person with confirmed Swine Flu AND the exposed person is in HIGH-RISK group (age under 2 years, underlying heart or lung disease, weak immune system, etc) (CDC)
• It is effective only while your child is taking it and ceases once your child stops taking it.
• Your child should only take Tamiflu if your child's physician recommends it.

• Definition: Some people request a prescription for Tamiflu for all family members just in case they come down with flu symptoms. They currently are well and have not been exposed to Swine Flu.
• Doctors are opposed to this practice, as is the CDC and your State's Public Health Department.
• The supply of Tamiflu is limited and needs to be kept available for patients who have severe symptoms OR have underlying health problems.

• You have other questions or concerns

• Although your child was exposed to Swine Flu, your child does not have any symptoms.
• Symptoms usually develop within 4-6 days of exposure to another person with swine flu (7 days is an outer limit).
• Most likely your child will not get Swine Flu.
• Even if your child did develop symptoms of Swine Flu, at this time, anti-viral treatment (Tamiflu) is not indicated for LOW-RISK children.
• So far, the symptoms of Swine Flu have been mild to moderate and the same as those seen with regular human flu.
• Patients recover from Swine Flu with supportive symptom care.

• You have other questions or concerns

• To catch Swine Flu, your child would need to have close contact with an infected person.
• Close contact includes kissing or embracing, sharing eating or drinking utensils, close conversation, interactions within 3 feet (1 meter), being in the same child care group or car pool, etc.
• Because your child did not have close contact, it is highly unlikely that he will
  develop Swine Flu.
• Even if your child did develop symptoms of Swine Flu, at this time, anti-viral treatment (Tamiflu) is not indicated for LOW-RISK children.
• Patients recover from Swine Flu with supportive symptom care.

• You have other questions or concerns