If you’ve been feeling anxious about swine flu, it’s understandable. Countless headlines shouting about swine flu outbreaks and deaths have created a skewed impression that swine flu is a deadly outbreak that’s about to pounce upon our families.
In reality, the vast majority of people who’ve contracted swine flu have not died or become severely ill. While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that 600 Americans have died from swine flu, the fact is that the "regular" flu kills as many as 36,000 people in the U.S. each year.
Here are some fears about swine flu that are on parents’ minds, and the reassuring facts that can offer some perspective.
Fear: Could swine flu be more dangerous than the regular flu?
Fact: We do not yet know if swine flu is worse than the regular flu. But the fact is that both swine flu and the regular flu can pose dangers that people need to be aware of. In the United States, 36,000 people die from complications related to the flu, and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized each year.
Fear: Are the symptoms of swine flu worse than symptoms of the regular flu?
Fact: Symptoms of swine flu are usually not any more severe than those of the regular flu. As with the regular flu, symptoms can include fatigue, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, headache, and chills. Diarrhea, vomiting, or fever may be present, though it can be low-grade.
Fear: Is the swine flu vaccine safe? Isn't it better to take a chance that kids will get a mild case, or maybe even take them to a "swine flu" party to expose them to the virus?
Fact: While no vaccine can be guaranteed to be 100 percent safe for every individual, doctors point out that the swine flu vaccine is basically manufactured and approved using the same methods used to produce the regular flu vaccine -- and the regular vaccine has a good safety record. Here's what About.com's pediatrics guide, Vincent Iannelli, MD, says about swine flu vaccine safety.
As to the question of whether or not you should take your child to a "swine flu" party, the answer is a definitive "no." One reason is that there is no way to predict how sick a child may get when exposed to the swine flu virus. While it may be mild in one case, it could be life-threatening in another. Here's what the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says about swine flu parties: "CDC does not recommend 'swine flu parties' as a way to protect against 2009 H1N1 flu in the future. While the disease seen in the current 2009 H1N1 flu outbreak has been mild for many people, it has been severe and even fatal for others. There is no way to predict with certainty what the outcome will be for an individual or, equally important, for others to whom the intentionally infected person may spread the virus.'
Fear: What is the swine flu vaccine? How is it different from the regular flu vaccine?
Fact: The swine flu vaccine is just like the seasonal flu vaccine except that it contains the novel H1N1 strain. There are 3 strains in the seasonal flu vaccine: one A (H3N2) virus, one A (H1N1) virus (not the 2009 H1N1 virus), and one B virus. There is nothing special about the swine flu vaccine other than the different strain. The strains in the flu vaccine change every year.
Fear: Is there a danger that treatments for swine flu, such as the drug Tamiflu, could run out? What if my child needs it?
Fact: Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir) are antiviral drugs that can reduce the symptoms and shorten the duration of swine flu so that a child can feel better faster. These drugs are in ample supply and aren't expected to run out. For children over 2, your doctor would most likely only prescribe these drugs if your child has a chronic illness such as asthma or a compromised immune system and is showing symptoms of swine flu. For otherwise healthy children, doctors would only recommend bed rest and plenty of fluids. The recommendations may change, however. To stay up to date, check the CDC's website.
Fear: People who developed serious complications from the H1N1 virus -- some of whom died -- were described as having "underlying medical conditions." Does that mean anyone with any medical condition is at greater risk?
Fact: "Underlying medical conditions" can include heart disease, diabetes, asthma, compromised immune systems, kidney disease, and pregnancy. Children under 2 years of age are also considered to at higher risk for complications. If your child meets any of these conditions, talk to your pediatrician about how to prevent and manage swine flu in your child.
