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Dear P.A.M.P.A. Families,

Our providers are closely following the C.D.C. recommendations for prevention and treatment of the H1N1 Influenza Virus, previously referred to as the Swine Flu. This flu virus is causing illness in infected persons in the United States and countries around the world. The C.D.C. expects that illnesses may continue for some time.

Advice for Parents on Talking to Children About Novel H1N1 Flu (Formerly Swine Flu)

As a parent you know how hard it can be for children to understand stressful situations, such as the current situation of novel H1N1 flu. Stressful situations often cause children to worry and have many questions as to why it is happening and how it can be fixed. It is important to remember to take care of your health and well-being as well as the health of your children. If you cope with a stressful situation well, your children will also cope better. Your confidence and calm attitude will help your children ease their worries and feel safe and secure.

Here are some helpful tips on what you can do for your children:

Keep activities as consistent and normal as possible even if your normal routine changes (due to daycare or school closures).
Ask your children what they have heard about novel H1N1 flu. Answer questions openly and honestly, at a level they can understand. Be concrete and do not avoid difficult questions. (See http://www.nasponline.org/resources/Talking_With_Children_About_Flu_FINAL.pdffor more information on talking tips).
Allow your children to express their feelings and concerns. Let them know it is okay to be afraid or mad. Ask questions so you can help them identify and cope with their feelings.
Children always need to feel safe and loved. When they are uncertain about situations and afraid they may need even more affection and attention.
Limit exposure to media and adult conversations about novel H1N1 flu . If your children are watching T.V. try to watch with them or make sure you are available to answer questions about what they have heard.
As appropriate, encourage healthy behaviors: eating well, sleeping well, playing outside.
Use their questions as an opportunity to let them know what they can do to avoid getting novel H1N1 flu.

Focus on what your child can do to avoid getting novel H1N1 flu:

Wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds (long enough for children to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice). Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.
Cover the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Cough and sneeze into a tissue. (If a tissue is used, throw the tissue away immediately. If the hand is used, wash immediately).
Stay at least six feet away from people who are sick.
Stay home from school if sick, and stay away from sick people until they are better.
In communities that have been affected by novel H1N1 flu, stay away from large gathering places, for example, shopping malls, movie theaters or indoor playgrounds.

Symptoms of H1N1 flu:

Common symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, diarrhea, and vomiting. Nearly all persons with flu will have fever and at least two of the other symptoms. The high risk groups for novel H1N1 flu are not known at this time but it’s possible that they may be the same as for seasonal influenza. People at higher risk of serious complications from seasonal flu include people age 65 years and older, children younger than 5 years old, pregnant women, people of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), and people who are immunosuppressed (e.g., taking immunosuppressive medications, infected with HIV).

What to do if your child is sick:

Unless they need medical attention, keep children who are sick at home. Don’t send them to school or daycare. Have them drink a lot of liquid (juice, water, Pedialyte ®).
Keep the sick child comfortable. Rest is important.
For fever, sore throat, and muscle aches, you can use fever-reducing medicines that your doctor recommends based on your child’s age. Do not use aspirin with children or teenagers; it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a life-threatening illness.
If someone in your home is sick, keep him or her away from those who are not sick.
Keep tissues close to the sick person and have a trash bag within reach for disposing used tissues.
If your child seems unusually sick, please contact the office for an appointment.

Emergency warning signs that a child needs urgent medical attention include:

Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish or gray skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Fever with severe headache and confusion

Emergency warning signs that an adult needs urgent medical attention include:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting

Should we find the need to communicate urgent information to our patients, we will send additional information via an email newsletter.

You may also find the most up to date information at the following websites which are also listed on our home page:

www.pandemicflu.gov www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu

The Staff and Providers of P.A.M.P.A.

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