Swine flu, pandemic H1N1, is spreading once again in the United States and the Northern Hemisphere. It continues to be infecting young people under the age of 24 in the highest numbers, closing schools and forcing cancellation of various events.

The Centers for Disease Control report 128 influenza associated pediatric deaths at this point in the 2008-2009 flu season. That number is 50% higher than last year and the highest in the last four years. Hospitalization rates for patients in the under age 2 and the age 5-17 categories also exceed the multi year average.

If your child catches the swine flu, he or she will require care for up to ten days or more. Their symptoms may include high fever, 103 degrees plus, cough, chest congestion, runny nose, aches and pains and vomiting / diarrhea.

The child will be contagious for about a day before the symptoms actively appear until as many as three days after. A sick child should be kept away from the rest of the family as much as possible. Hand washing by caregivers and by the sick child should be a matter of routine, and ares used by the sick child such as bathrooms should be cleaned and disinfected often.

If your child has an underlying health condition such as asthma, you should be in frequent contact with the doctor. Anti-virals may be prescribed to lessen the severity and duration of the infections. The illness can be much more severe in children with pre-existing health problems.

If your child has not underlying medical problems, you can expect them to be moderately uncomfortable for three to seven days. Over the counter medications can be used to relieve symptoms.Let them have plenty of rest and urge them to drink lots of fluids.

Swine flu can be serious in children with underlying medical conditions, but can also become severe in some healthy children. Trouble breathing, extremely high fever, inability to keep liquids down, seizures or mental confusion are some of the signs that your child is very sick. You should seek emergency medical treatment as soon as possible.

Under no circumstances should your child be given aspirin or any aspirin containing product. Please check the labels before giving the medicine. Aspirin use has been linked to a severe condition in children under 18 who have a fever.

The Centers for Disease Control have a web page describing what to do for a child who catches swine flu.

As a caregiver, the parent falls into a category that the CDC suggests receive the swine flu vaccine. In addition, caregivers should consult a physician to see if they ought to be taking anti-viral medication to prevent the illness.

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