Guest Opinion: How to Recognize and Deal with an Influenza-like Illness (swine flu)

By John Manning
Director of the San Juan County Department of Health and Community Services

San Juan County school students have experienced a significant outbreak of influenza-like illness (ILI) this school year, quite likely due to swine flu. This has resulted in a high rate of school absence. The San Juan County Department of Health and Community Services nurses have been calling San Juan County families to provide guidance to parents and assess the health of absent students. The number of school absences related to ILI has now decreased significantly. The Department of Health will, therefore, soon discontinue calling families of absent students. There will continue to be cases in our community for at least the next few months. This document provides guidance on controlling, identifying and dealing with a child’s influenza-like illness.

The Department of Health continues to urge all families to follow these guidelines to control the spread of the disease in your home:

1. Cover every cough with an elbow,
2. Wash everyone’s hands regularly,
3. Isolate the ill family member and especially limit contact with other family members who are at high risk from influenza,
4. Call before going to the doctor, and
5. Get appropriate H1N1 vaccinations for all children and for all at risk adults.

Remember that every child under the age of ten requires two doses of H1N1 vaccine in order to maximize the vaccine’s effectiveness. You will receive a reminder notice of when the second dose of vaccine will be available, if your child has so far received only a single dose.

Most cases of influenza-like illness can be successfully treated at home with bed rest, fluids and fever reducing, over the counter medications. However, you should watch for symptoms that may indicate a more serious illness, such as

• Breathing is labored, with noises or visible extra exertion
• Child is lethargic, doesn’t want to be held (infants and young children) or won’t get out of bed (older children and teens)
• Fever lasts longer than three days
• Skin color turns blue or ashen gray
• Child won’t drink fluids or has difficulty swallowing
• Symptoms improve, but then return with a fever or more significant cough

If your child’s symptoms, or your instinct, indicate that your child needs additional medical assistance, call your healthcare provider. If it’s an emergency, dial 9-1-1.

As long as a person has a fever, they can infect others. A child should stay at home until at least 24 hours after their fever has ended without any fever reducing medications.

The Department of Health nurses are available to answer your questions at 360-378-4474. Additional information is posted at the San Juan County website https://sanjuanco.com/flu/h1n1.aspx