As kids, parents and teachers start the school year, CTV.ca offers answers to your most frequently asked questions about how to spot swine flu in kids, when to treat it at home and when to call your doctor.
How do I know if my child has swine flu or a regular flu?
Without laboratory testing, it's difficult to know. Doctors are no longer testing to determine which types of flu people have unless the patient is hospitalized with a severe probable case.
But in general, the symptoms of swine flu in kids older than five are similar to those of regular flu. They are:
- fever of 38 C (100.4 F) or higher.
- coughing, and sore throat
- fatigue
- lack of appetite
- sometimes vomiting and diarrhea, especially in younger children
Babies and toddlers can have different symptoms.
- Fever may be the only symptom. Toddlers and babies usually have higher temperatures, often over 39.5C (103.1F)
- About half of children under three years old have symptoms that include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain
- Ear infections and red, sore eyes are more frequent in young children
- Some babies may not be able to drink fluids or breastfeed
- Stiff neck may appear in some babies
- Toddlers and babies may have a hoarse cry and a barking cough.
When should I keep my child home from school?
If your child has a fever, they should stay at home, even if they seem to have a mild case. That way your child won't infect other children, including those who could develop severe illness.
How long should I keep my children at home if they have mild cases?
People infected with swine flu -- or any flu for that matter -- can infect others from one day before showing symptoms to up to seven days afterward, so it's best to keep them home for at least five days or until they are able to resume daily activities, whichever is shorter.
In most kids, the flu will run its course over a week, though the cough can last a few weeks in some patients.
How do I treat flu in my kids?
- To bring down the fever, use acetaminophen (Tylenol) according to instructions on the label or advice from a health care provider
- Ibuprofen can treat muscle aches but should not be used for babies younger than six months of age. Children younger than 18 years of age should not take Aspirin or any products containing acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)
- Encourage your child to rest or engage in quiet activities. Do not allow them to socialize with others.
- Offer water or juice often
- Dress your child in lightweight clothing and keep room temperature at 20C (68F). Do not use cool baths or alcohol rubs
- Try saline nose drops to help relieve stuffy nose or cough
When should we see a doctor?
You should seek medical care immediately if your child has any of the following:
- lung or heart disease
- any chronic health problem that requires regular medical attention
- an illness that might affect their immune systems, such as diabetes, cancer, or HIV/AIDS
- is pregnant
If your child develops any of the following warning signs, you should call your child's doctor:
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Not drinking enough fluids. Goes to the bathroom less often than every six hours while awake if two years of age or older
- Not waking up or not interacting. Loses interest in playing, watching TV, eating or drinking
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held and cries a lot
- Flu symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough
Call 911 right away if your child:
- has severe trouble breathing and it is not caused by a stuffy nose
- has blue lips or hands, suddenly becomes pale, or has cold legs up to their knees
- is sleepy that he doesn't respond when you try to get them up, or isn't able to move
- seems confused
- has a seizure
How can I protect my children from getting sick?
Proper hand hygiene is one of the best ways to guard against the flu. Flu viruses can live on your hands for up to five minutes, and can live on hard surfaces, like countertops and telephones, for up to two days. To reduce transmission:
- encourage your kids to clean their hands and clean them often to keep yourself and others from getting the flu
- keep alcohol-based sanitizers handy in gel or wipe form, at home or in their backpack
- teach your children to cough or sneeze into their arms or sleeves
- encourage your child not to share personal items or drinks
Sources: Public Health Agency of Canada, Government of Alberta Health and Wellness, Ontario Ministry of Health, B.C. Ministry of Health Services
