{"id":785,"date":"2009-12-08T10:00:47","date_gmt":"2009-12-08T14:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ehealth.cooperhealth.org\/?p=785"},"modified":"2009-12-08T10:00:47","modified_gmt":"2009-12-08T14:00:47","slug":"seasonal-and-h1n1-flu-a-guide-for-parents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/2009\/12\/08\/seasonal-and-h1n1-flu-a-guide-for-parents\/","title":{"rendered":"Seasonal and H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Parents"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"SickThe H1N1 influenza (also known as Swine Flu) is still affecting many people, especially children, in our region. The Children\u2019s Regional Hospital at Cooper <\/a>urges parents to get your child the H1N1 vaccine.\u00a0 Our physicians hope that this information prepared by the Centers for Disease Control<\/a> (CDC) will help you manage if your child becomes ill with the flu.<\/p>\n

Most people with 2009 H1N1 have had mild illness and have not needed medical care and the same is true of seasonal flu. However, the flu can be serious, especially for young children (risk is highest in children younger than 2 years) and children of any age who have certain chronic medical conditions. These conditions include asthma or other lung problems, diabetes, weakened immune systems, kidney disease, heart problems and neurological and neuromuscular disorders. Children with these conditions can have more severe illness from any flu, including from the 2009 H1N1 flu virus.<\/p>\n

If your child is 5 years or older and otherwise healthy and gets flu-like symptoms, including a fever and\/or cough, consult your doctor as needed. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and drinks enough fluids.<\/p>\n

If your child is younger than 5 (and especially younger than 2), or you have a\u00a0 child of any age with a medical condition like asthma, diabetes, or a neurologic problem, and develops flu-like symptoms, ask a doctor if your child should be examined. This is because younger children (especially children younger than 2), and children who have chronic medical conditions, may be at higher risk of serious complications from flu infection, including 2009 H1N1 flu. Talk to your doctor early if you are worried about your child\u2019s illness.<\/p>\n

Call the doctor or take your child to a doctor right away if your child seems very sick with any of these symptoms:<\/p>\n