As difficult to
accept as swine flu can be, spreading through the population and
claiming lives with perverse abandon, it becomes especially difficult
to face the possibility of an infant contracting the disease. There is
low life expectancy in infants who catch swine flu. The flu is not all
that easy to identify or diagnose in infants, but it can be done with
these symptoms if you look out for them.
The first signs of a swine flu viral infection look quite like the
symptoms of other seasonal flu bugs. If the baby catches a cold and
then a fever comes up that remains higher than 101C, this is a sign
of swine flu, and the baby needs emergency medical attention. A
worsening cough also, is a reliable sign.
Another reliable indicator of swine flu in infants is the appearance of
a rash alongside of a fever. Some infants may have blue skin
discoloration in addition, or labored shallow breathing.These show an
immediate vulnerability to a lack of efficient breathing in the child,
and again indicates a requirement for medical attention forthwith.
Infants with swine flu often show an inability or unwillingness to take
in fluids. This can result in dangerous dehydration; children who
refuse water or fluids, need emergency medical attention.
Swine flu brings along serious joint and body
pain. If the baby seems
uncomfortable all the time, and refuses to be comforted or held, this
also is a good sign that medical attention is required.
When a child has swine flu, regular swine flu medications such as
Tamiflu are effective. The important thing is all round care, and
hospital as the best environment for this. You can keep your baby safe
from swine flu by making sure that the baby is not taken to crowded
places. Children old enough to wash their hands on their own should be
taught how to do this. Swine flu is best avoided in young children, as
it can get rapidly out of hand. All the pointers provided here should
always be on the top of anyone's minds who has an infant to take care
of.
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