Can I do anything to prevent my child catching pandemic flu?

• Immunisation: Flu 

The following will also reduce the risk of catching both seasonal and pandemic flu:

• make sure everyone in your family washes their hands regularly and thoroughly, including (but not only) before preparing food and eating. Make sure everyone dries them well too. Soap and water for 20 seconds, then 20 seconds drying. Or use a hand sanitiser
• use a tissue to cover coughs and sneezes and then put it in the rubbish bin (and then wash and dry hands)
• regularly clean surfaces in the bathroom and the kitchen
• stay away from people who are sick. Keep your distance - at least one metre
• if your child becomes sick, keep them at home and don't send them to school or day care until they are well
• if you become sick – stay at home, don't go to work

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What is the treatment for pandemic flu?

Most children fight off the infection by themselves.

 

Antiviral medicines (such as Tamiflu) are not normally given to children who are otherwise fit and healthy.

 

This type of medicine is generally most effective if taken within the first 48 hours of the first symptoms. It may reduce the severity of your child's symptoms and the length of time they have the flu. It is not a cure.

 

Antibiotics are not helpful for the flu and will not be prescribed by your doctor unless your child also has a bacterial infection.

 

Do NOT give your child aspirin. This can be associated with Reyes Syndrome which results in severe liver failure.

 

Continue with your child's usual medications (such as those for asthma and diabetes).

 

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How can I care for my child at home?

• give paracetamol for pain or discomfort if needed. You must follow the dosage instructions on the bottle. It is dangerous to give more than the recommended dose
• aspirin should not be given
• see How do I treat a fever? in the fever fact sheet on this website
• have them drink water, fruit juice or milk often. (If your child will not take fluids or is drowsy, don't force it. Seek medical or health professional advice immediately)
• use saltwater drops (saline) to treat a stuffy nose
• keep your child at home and resting until they are well

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When should I seek help?

Contact your doctor if you think your child has the flu and: 

• is less than 12 months old
• was born prematurely and is less than two years old
• has been in hospital within the last three months
• has a chronic (long-lasting) condition such as heart disease, cystic fibrosis or other chronic lung condition, asthma, diabetes, an organ transplant, cancer or leukaemia

You should see a doctor urgently if your child of any age:

• has trouble feeding or is not drinking enough fluids
• is not weeing as normal (for babies, their nappies remain dry or there are fewer than three wet nappies in 24 hours)
• is severely irritable and is not wanting to be held
• improves and then suddenly becomes worse
• doesn't seem to be improving or you are concerned for any reason

Dial 111 for urgent medical help if your child:

• becomes floppy or more drowsy than usual or is difficult to wake
• has trouble breathing (breathing is fast or noisy)
• has blue lips

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Where to go for more information about pandemic flu

On this website

Flu (influenza)

Immunisation: Flu 

 

IMAC (Immunisation Advisory Centre)

For questions on immunisation, vaccination-preventable diseases or a specific vaccine, you can contact IMAC. Call IMAC free on

0800 IMMUNE (0800 466863), weekdays 9am-4.30 pm
Email: imac@auckland.ac.nz
Website: http://www.immune.org.nz/

 

Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health website provides information about influenza A (H1N1)  (swine flu). The Ministry of Health and Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand have also produced the following pamphlet on which some of this fact sheet is based:

• Pandemic flu or swine flu (H1N1 virus): What you need to know (at right)

Website:  http://www.moh.govt.nz/

 

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Acknowledgements

This fact sheet was produced in collaboration with IMAC (Immunisation Advisory Centre) and the Ministry of Health. It has been adapted from the following Ministry of Health and Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand pamphlet:

• Pandemic flu or swine flu (H1N1 virus): What you need to know

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Endorsement

This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 03/08/2011

Copyright

Fact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation.
© The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2012

The Paediatric Society of New Zealand http://www.paediatrics.org.nz

Starship Foundation http://www.starship.org.nz