How Can We Help Our Children Fight Against Swine Flu (H1N1) and Calm Their Fears?
Posted: Thursday, October 15, 2009
by Fran Larson
http://www.franniesquotes.com/
Swine Flu, school, our childrenwhen these words start swirling around in our head, it can be frightening. However, someone once said, "knowledge is power," so lets explore what we need to know about this "monster in the dark."
What Is Swine Flu?
The virus is actually a combination of swine, avian, and human flus.
The symptoms of Swine Flu (H1N1) are: F ever, coughing, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue and, in some cases, vomiting and diarrhea. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says, "Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person. (Los Angeles Chronicle, 5/2/09)
" Health officials also are preparing to educate the public about flu vaccines. It's possible that children and adults will be encouraged to be vaccinated for both swine flu and seasonal flu this fall. Currently, the swine flu vaccine is in the testing stages, but government officials said Thursday that the United States expects to have 160 million doses of swine flu vaccine available sometime in October." By Elisabeth Arriero - Jul. 27, 2009 08:09 AM The Arizona Republic
________________________________________________________________
What Can We Tell Our Children About Swine Flu?
H1N1 Vaccine will be available in October or November, according to the Center of Disease Control (CDC).
The Health Department is working with schools and planning for a mass vaccination, should it be required from the CDC, when vaccine becomes available.
What Parents Can Do
Anyone with respiratory illness should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections to others in the community, including influenza.
Teach your child to cover nose and mouth with tissue when they cough or sneeze.
Place tissue in trash after use.
Tell your child to avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth.
Advise your child to stay away from sick people and to let a staff member know if they or someone they know comes in contact with a sick person.
Everyone should was hands with soap and water or an alcohol based cleanser, especially after a cough or sneeze.
(From Angela Babson, Infection Specialist for Pasco County Health Department)
__________________________________________________________________
Help Children Overcome Fear about Swine Flu
As parents, teachers and mentors for children, it is important that we take the fear out of children's minds concerning Swine Flu by talking to them.
"Parents should initiate a conversation about the flu with their children. Many times, children may be too afraid to say something and left to their own devices, they can put a story together that's far more frightening than reality, Teenagers often display false bravado, he says, but parents should address basic facts and concerns with them, too.
First, ask what they know and what they're concerned about. For preschoolers and elementary school children, keep explanations very simple. "You might say 'some people have gotten sick with a flu you get from contact with someone who has it. Mom and Dad are going to make sure you're safe. We'll take care of you.' " (From USA Today, Harold Koplewicz, a child psychiatrist and director of the New York University Child Study Center.)
________________________________________________________________________
You may want to keep this information handy and be armed with knowledge, as well as passing it on to others.
This Article has been viewed 42 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
No comments yet.We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.