Swine Flu in Babies – Symptoms and Things to Avoid
Swine flu or influenza A (H1N1) is a strain of flu which was only seen in pigs until recently. The flu strains mainly surface among poultry and pigs. When they get transmitted to humans, they cause human epidemics. Swine flu in babies can be fatal and require immediate medical attention and treatment.
Swine flu can affect babies and cause a high risk of mortality. You should know all about the signs of swine flu to be guarded against this disease. This flu virus mostly affects very weak individuals including children. It may some times be very hard to recognize this disease in children. You can recognize swine flu in babies by looking for some indicators. By identifying these signs, you can provide emergency care for your baby before it becomes very late.
Signs of swine flu
Swine flu in babies can start with flu like symptoms. The signs of this virus are similar to many other diseases. If a child has fever more than 101 degrees subsequent to a cold it can be swine flu. Another symptom of this disease is a worsening cough. While treating the child for flu, if their cough worsens, it can be a sign of this virus.
The second symptom of this disease can be rash accompanied by fever. Some children may develop blue discoloration of skin. This may be due to dearth of oxygen and the child has to be given immediate medical attention.
The child may also stop taking fluids if he/she has developed this condition. Dehydration can be dangerous among young children and they must be taken for emergency care treatment.
The child may also develop breathing problems as a result of this disease. They may experience shortness of breath or may be breathing rapidly. In such cases, it pays to get medical help quickly so that they do not suffer adverse affects.
Some babies with swine flu may also appear uncomfortable due to sever body aches. Babies may tend to wriggle away while you hold them and suffer from acute body ache. In such cases, you must take them to a hospital for emergency treatment as it can be a sign of a swine flu viral infection.
Some babies affected by swine flu may not maintain eye contact. This is also a symptom of acute viral infection. Babies affected by swine flu may also be unable to wake up, in which cases you must call the ambulance immediately.
Swine Flu Treatment options
Swine Flu is no doubt a deadly virus. But it can be cured using antiviral medications such as Tamiflu. You can save your baby’s life by getting him treated immediately. As this epidemic can get worse before improvement, you must be clear regarding the signs of the virus so that you can get emergency care.
How to Avoid Swine flu Babies
You can help babies avoid swine flu by keeping the baby clean and not going out when he/she is ill. They should also avoid contact with sick people. Good hygiene must be maintained at home. Young children must be taught to wash their hands regularly using soap as a precaution against this disease. They must also be taught to cover their mouths while coughing and sneezing. By giving immediate medical attention you can avoid the harmful effects of swine flu on your baby.
