How Do You Tell If Your Child Has Swine Flu?

With swine flu once again resurging in Mexico, and bearing in mind the large number of cases being reported worldwide, it is reasonable to become acquainted with the symptoms and treatment actions necessary in the case of your children catching this infection, as the chances of coming into contact with this contagious disease are becoming higher by the day.

HOW CATCHY IS IT?

Swine flu is very contagious, and can be caught by inhaling micro-droplets breathed out by an infected person, or by touching them, shaking hands for example, or coming into contact with body fluids such as saliva. The problem is that our bodies do not have natural antibodies against this strain of flu because it is a new strain. Usually, once a person is suspected by a doctor of having swine flu, they are kept at home for 10 days to prevent them infecting more people. Often family members living in the same home are also requested to stay at home if possible.

SO WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Symptoms are, unfortunately, very similar to normal flu:

1. Fever

2. Headache

3. Aches in the body

4. Runny Nose.

5. Cough

6. Sore throat

And some a little less usual:

7. Vomiting / diarrhea

8. Chills

When the infection becomes severe, further symptoms are:

-> pneumonia, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, a blue or gray skin color, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, extreme tiredness or non responsiveness.

WHAT MUST YOU DO?

As soon as the child has shown these symptoms for more that 24 hours, take them to the doctor and explain that you suspect swine flu. He will do some tests and send these off for analysis. This analysis takes awhile, up to 10 days in some countries, so the doctor will treat your child in the meantime, as swine flu is too dangerous to leave untreated. He will put your child on an antibiotic and other medicine to help her cope with the effects of the flu, and in a lot of cases, this will heal the swine flu and they will recover normally.

Young children and pregnant mothers, as well as the old and those who are already sick with another ailment, are those who are most at risk from this disease.

If your child is not getting any better near the end of the antibiotic course, phone or visit the doctor again and let him know that it's not going so well, so that he can take the necessary action, such as give you a repeat prescription of the antibiotic.

Once the tests are back, the doctor will then contact you and let you know if your child needs to go onto the medication which has been developed for swine flu.

Also an excellent idea is to pray, if you are not already!

OUTLOOK

Most healthy kids will soon recover from swine flu, many of them with very little medication. But we need to be vigilant and take the necessary precautions, as it can be a killer. The death rate is about the same as for normal flu, so with the right precautions and prompt treatment, there should be no major problems.

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Tags: swine flu, h1n1 virus, swine flu symptoms, swine flu vaccination, vaccine

Swine Flu - Immunize Your Child Or Not?

As the health departments in North America begin ramping up production of swine flu immunization, the pressure will mount for people to be immunized. While I am not advocating one way or the other and believe it is a personal decision each family must make, I am amazed at the controversy that is being stirred by certain companies and schools who are requiring the swine flu immunization.

Some hospitals are requiring all of their employees to be immunized. It may seem like an extreme measure, but because of the risk involved of health care providers either being too sick to work in large numbers or getting swine flu and passing it on to compromised individuals in the hospital, the hospital administrators feel justified in making it a requirement.

Many schools are also considering making Swine Flu immunization a requirement for continued attendance. As many as one-third of parents do not agree with the idea of having their child immunized. There is some reason for concern. In 1918 when the last Swine Flu epidemic raced through the world, the Swine Flu immunization that was given had an unexpected side effect of exacerbating a certain type of paralysis. While it was an extremely small number of people who were impacted, to this day the U.S. government does not know what caused the problem.

Parents are fearful that the government's desire to swiftly put in place a Swine Flu Immunization program will cause some of the same complications down the road. However, the people at the health department who have been working on the vaccine assure the public that this Swine Flu immunization benefits from advanced testing procedures that allow them to pinpoint problems with the vaccination before it hits the general population.

Only you can decide whether or not your child should receive the Swine Flu immunization. It is worth bearing in mind, however, that the number of people harmed by the immunization program in the early 1900s was miniscule compared to the number of lives saved.

We do have a pandemic on our hands. Whether you choose to be immunized or not, be sure to talk to your children and teenagers about taking safety precautions. The following precautions are recommended by the health department:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze. Put it in the trash after you use it, and then wash your hands.

• Avoid touching your eyes and nose or putting your fingers in your mouth.

• If you are ill with flu-like symptoms, stay home at least 24 hours.

• If you have a fever, you should be fever free without the use of medication for at least 24 hours before returning to work or school.

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. When washing your hands is not an option, use an alcohol based wipe or hand sanitizer.

We all must take responsibility for the health of our communities during this pandemic. Children under the age of 24 are one of the most vulnerable populations, so talk to your teens and younger children often about making safe and healthy choices.

Norbert Georget is an accomplished professional speaker, teen motivator, parenting expert and author of the book, No-Nonsense Parenting For Today's Teenager - How To Feel Like A Good Parent Even When Your Teenager Hates You. You may get a FREE REPORT called No-Nonsense Parenting for the Disrespectful Teenager. All the answers you'll need to deal with your disrespectful teenager.

Tags: swine flu, h1n1 virus, swine flu symptoms, swine flu vaccine, vaccination

Overweight? Swine Flu May Be More Serious

Losing weight and keeping it off is even more important during this flu season. Hospitals and government agencies are reporting that excess weight is a risk factor for complications from H1N1. At one Michigan hospital, 9 out of 10 of the swine flu victims in the intensive care unit were overweight.

You can get a vaccination against the flu, although of course that doesn't give you immunity for at least two weeks, and only partial immunity for some people. As you probably know, the success of the flu shot depends on scientists predicting and matching the flu strains that will develop during the next flu season and creating a vaccine that can overcome those flu strains.

Sometimes, a new strain appears unexpectedly, as it did with H1N1, and that season's flu shot doesn't cover it. What happens then? Well, more people are unprotected - even those who were vaccinated. More people get the flu and pass it on to other people. This is what's happening right now with H1N1. And until the H1N1 flu shot is available, no one is protected from it.

But even if you do get the shot, and not all people do, some because of religious or philosophical reasons and some because they believe in alternative treatments, there's no guarantee that you won't get the flu while you're waiting for your immune system to kick in. Plus, why not give your immune system all the help it can get by eating right and getting down to the right weight for you?

Do it now, because the longer you wait, the harder it is to change your habits. But even if you're middle-aged or older, permanent weight loss can be achieved with simple, easy changes to your diet and small exercise efforts. You don't need a personal chef or a gym membership to get healthy and tone up.

With flu season just around the corner or here in some places, it makes sense to do anything you can to avoid it or keep it from causing serious harm - or even death - if you do develop it. One way to do that is by reducing your risk factors for getting flu and its complications, both seasonal and H1N1.

Swine Flu (H1N1) can be much more serious when you're overweight! Find out How to Prevent and Treat Flu Naturally. This free 12 page report with the best natural remedies you've never heard of is at http://www.lillslifesystems.com

Tags: swine flu, swine flu vaccine, overweight, swine flu symptoms

Swine Flu Shots May Be To Late!

According to the Center for Disease Control, the best defense against flu, both seasonal and H1N1 or Swine Flu, is the flu vaccine. This week, they announced that the first shipments of the nasal mist form of the vaccine will be available.

But before you head out to your doctor's or the local flu clinic to get your Swine Flu shot, you need to know a few things.

1. The nasal mist is only for people aged 2-49.

2. It's being offered to health workers first, then to the groups most at risk for complicatons from H1N1.

3. The shot, itself, won't be available until later this month and will also be offered to high risk people first.

What does this mean for you? Well, unless you're a health worker, a pregnant woman, have a compromised immune system or are under 24, you may have to wait for your Swine Flu shot.

While you're waiting, there are things you can do to prevent both seasonal flu and H1N1 flu. Try to stay away from crowds. If you go out, wash your hands often and don't touch your mouth, nose or eyes.

If flu is widespread in your area and you do have to go out, wear an approved mask to protect yourself from other people's germs. If you really want to protect yourself, wear disposable gloves and throw them away when you get home and then wash your hands thoroughly.

Get plenty of rest and if you're overweight, try to lose some weight. Overweight is one risk factor for complications from H1N1. Eat healthy vegetables and fruits and cut down on sugar and empty calories. Drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated.

Getting a flu shot may be the best protection against seasonal and H1N1 flu viruses. However, until they're available, protecting our health is up to us.

Swine Flu (H1N1) is much more dangerous when you're overweight! Find out How to Prevent and Treat Flu Naturally. Free 9 page report with the best natural remedies you've never heard of is at http://www.lillslifesystems.com

Tags: swine flu shots, swine flu vaccine, swine flu vaccination, swine flu symptoms

Should You Get the Swine Flu Vaccine?

Everywhere you look and everything you hear centers around swine flu lately. There is talk of mandatory vaccinations of school children and health care workers; seniors, pregnant women and very young children are always the prime candidates for vaccinations of this type. But is this the best answer? I am not a doctor nor am I an infectious disease expert. However, I believe it is very important to get as much information as possible in order to make the best decision. I will share some information but the responsibility to seek as much information as possible and the final decision as to whether to get the shot or not is yours, at least for now.

First of all, have you ever asked your doctor whether he or she gets a flu shot every year? The answer may surprise you. Dr. Donald Miller, a cardiac surgeon and Professor of Surgery at the University of Washington, recommends avoiding the flu shot and taking vitamin D instead. According to Dr. Miller, "Seventy percent of doctors do not get a flu shot." Official health statistics tell us 36,000 people will die from the flu EVERY winter. But the National Vital Statistics Reports compiled by the CDC reveals only 1,138 of those deaths occur due to the flu alone. The balance are caused by pneumonia, heart attacks and other underlying causes such as bacterial infections.

Dr. John Cannell and his colleagues have theorized that the flu is merely a symptom of vitamin D deficiency. Their theory was further proven by researchers who suggested that flu epidemics are the result of a dormant disease which is activated by vitamin D deficiency. It seems logical since our flu season happens in the fall and winter months, when we have fewer hours of sunlight.

All vaccines carry a risk no matter how "safe" they are said to be. The vaccine being produced specifically for the swine flu or H1N1 virus is being "fast tracked." That means it is being pushed through testing and approval phases and therefore we will not have adequate information as to its long and short term safety. That is a huge concern. Back in 1976 - the last swine flu epidemic - 25 people died - solely as a result of the vaccine. That was more than the actual number who died from the virus itself! And it triggered 500 cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a serious brain disorder that attacks the lining of nerves and can cause temporary paralysis and death. Many experts have similar concerns about this new vaccine.

Many experts are voicing concerns about the long term risks of this fast tracked vaccine in healthy people and whether those risks are justified, particularly when all the evidence shows that this H1N1 flu is a mild strain. The Vaccine Adverse Effect Reporting System of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration receives around 11,000 "serious adverse reaction" reports per year. Serious reactions are defined as death, life-threatening illness, hospitalization, or disability resulting from a vaccine. The FDA admits that in all probability only about 10% of adverse reactions are actually reported.

30-50% of people infected with flu have mild or no symptoms at all and the vast number of people clear it on their own. We have to also keep in mind everyone is biochemically unique and we each react differently to drugs and treatments. The risk-benefit is different for everyone - so one size, so to speak, cannot fit all. Another statistic to consider is this: 436 people have died as a result of swine flu; 200,000 deaths occur annually from medical errors.

If all that was not enough to make your head spin, just how effective are flu shots? Preparing vaccines for the coming flu season is an annual guessing game. There are typically 200 to 300 different flu virus strains, while the vaccine usually contains antigens of only a few. (Antigens are molecules that trigger a specific immune response.) More often than not the vaccine doesn't contain antigens of the most virulent strains that season.

The most important recommendation I can make right now is this: educate yourself. Once you know the truth you will not be swayed by fear tactics. There will be many voices trying to get you to respond out of fear. We are never to make decisions, or do anything for that matter, out of fear. That is a position of weakness. The Lord tells us repeatedly to fear not. My suggestion is educate yourself and once you understand the facts, dig for the truth of the matter, which may not be obvious. Then whatever decision you make, do it in faith.

Ann Musico is a certified Biblical health coach and independent nutritional consultant. She has developed a "3-D Living Program" to assist her coaching clients in achieving vibrant health and wholeness - spirit, soul and body. Visit her website at http://www.threedimensionalvitality.com to learn more about the "3-D Living Program" as well as the e-books, products and coaching packages she offers. Subscribe for her free monthly newsletter and weekly email messages. Health is more than just the absence of illness. Let Ann show you how to create a life of passion and purpose, wholeness and harmony.