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A Parent's Guide To H1N1 and the Seasonal Flu

Keep My Family Safe

We asked Rudolf Kotula, M.D., head of the Infectious Disease practice at Methodist Physicians Clinic, how to keep our families healthy during the flu outbreak.

What are some of the symptoms my family may display if they contract the flu?

H1N1 symptoms are similar to those of regular flu, including fever, cough, sore throat, headache and body aches, chills, and fatigue. Some individuals may have difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or even turn blue. Coughing and a colored sputum may also occur. Rather than display the typical symptoms, young children may experience difficulty breathing and be less active than normal.

How should I treat my children with this illness?

If your kids become ill and display typical flu-like symptoms, keep them at home. Make sure they get lots of rest and drink plenty of juice, water, and/or Pedialyte^®. Depending on your children’s ages, your doctor may also recommend over-the-counter medicines in order to ease the discomfort of fever, sore throat, and muscle aches. Do not use aspirin.

If you know your children have come into contact with someone who has H1N1 flu, see your doctor and ask if any antiviral medicines for preventing illness are appropriate for them. And if your kids display one or more of the following symptoms, seek emergency medical care right away:

Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish or gray skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Not waking up or interacting
Being irritable and not wanting to be held
Persistent or severe vomiting
Flu symptoms that improve and later return with fever and worse cough

How does the virus spread?

At this time, the way H1N1 virus is transmitted is being studied as part of ongoing outbreak investigation. All respiratory secretions and bodily fluids should be considered potentially infectious.

Are there any preventative measures my family should use?

Simple measures help. Frequent, proper hand washing is one of the easiest ways to prevent illness.

Show children how to properly wash their hands with warm soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If your kids are young and tend to rush, teach them to sing a short song, such as "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" or the "Happy Birthday" song, while washing their hands. It’s a fun and effective way to make sure they wash long enough.

Teach children to cough or sneeze into a tissue, their elbow, or their upper arm, and to keep their hands away from their eyes, nose, and mouth. Also, discourage them from sharing cups, utensils, and bottles with others.

Related Information:

Learn how to prevent the spread of the flu with National Mascot Teddy and Secretary Sebelius in this fun video from the CDC.