Sunday,October4,09 Kojagiri Pournima, shakey 1931 Dr. Sarika writes... Swine Flu in children : Should parents be worried? It seems all over-the news and popping up in the cases worldwide-Swine Flu. How much should parents be concerned about this? Newest mutation in H1N1 has created new wave of concern and upset among health organization and individuals across the world. Swine flu refers to any flu that was supposed to be endemic in pigs caused by influenza strain of virus. This year’s international outbreak was caused by ‘mutated’ strain in different categories. 1. Spread: Initially it was confined to animals only. But now it is showing animal to human and human to human transmission. 2. Area of affection: Mutant strain now directly affects the lung tissue leading to fatal Pneumonia and death, instead of it’s original upper respiratory tract affection like simple flu. 3. Age: More young and adults are affected instead of children and elderly. Areas of new concern: 1. If the virus evolves faster than doctors and scientists can keep up. 2. Whether there is going to be a ‘second cycle‘ of the virus in coming winter. H1N1 virus mainly spreads through 1. Airborne infection through inhalation 2. Person to person by handshakes, fomites, sharing articles and surfaces So practicing good hygiene, exercising common sense and small changes in daily habits and diet are the best ways to keep your child safe from any flu.  Minimize exposure : a) If your child is sick, take him out of school/playgroup/day care and keep him at home. For any doubt, consult your paediatrician before sending him to school. b) Try and avoid crowded places, malls, restaurants, theatres, public transport. c) Teach your kids to avoid spitting on roads and public places. Raise a voice against ones who spit at traffic signals, paanwallas and out of a city bus! • Wash up : H1N1 transfers via hand to hand contact. Affected people shake hands with others after sneezing/coughing in the hands. And by a rub on an itchy eye or nose facilitates the spread of the virus. If every family simply makes a point of washing hands and face: Morning and night, before preparing food, before meals, after touching pets, after coughing/ sneezing/ after coming home from public places our outdoors...you are doing much more than most families! • ABC of hand washing : A: Good jet of water B: Soap (Not necessarily medicated always) C: Wash at least 30 seconds. Long enough to sing a ‘Happy Birthday to me’ twice. • Cover mouth and nose : H1N1 spreads by air droplets. You cough and sneeze and you expel minute particles of spittle and mucous as a droplets. They act as a vehicle for virus. A person nearby breaths the infected air and acquires infection. Using tissue papers, clean hand kerchiefs, scarves or your upper sleeve instead of hands is the most recommended practice according to centre for disease control. If your child’s sneeze ends up in his hand, make sure he washes them thoroughly or applies hand sanitizer before he forgets or touches anything. • Precautions while travelling in a school bus/van or auto rikshaw : H1N1 remains active on metal surfaces for hours, even days together sometimes. So children travelling acquires it by touching windows, doors, belts and bars. A public transport can have a sanitizer bottle with the driver. Each of the student should cover nose and mouth before entering the vehicle. How to build up your child’s immunity against flu? •Good quality sleep : It is proven that good sleep directs our body energy to the differnt paths of protein synthesis, which is very much responsible for our natural defence mechanism against various bacteria, viruses and parasites. Proper sleep also leads to secretion of various Hormones and enzymes through brain, which plays a vital role in your child’s immunity. • Diet : a) Elimination of junk and outdoor food: Again for simple reasons, like improper handling, hand washing, hygiene, lack of essential proteins and vitamins like vit.c, vit.A and vit. E. b) Give your child a blend of fresh fruits and vegetables rich in vit.C and vit. A. Guava, Lemon, Oranges, Sprouts, Spinach, Carrots, Leafy vegetables. c) Cod liver oil and non veg soups too help as they contain high amounts of proteins. d) Adding small amounts of lemon grass, Tulsi leaves, ginger in regular tea or daily cuisines also give local immunity. e) Green Tea contains a substance EGCG which has anti influenza effect. It inhibits replication of virus in human. f) Make sure your kid eats quality hygienic food and drinks ample water or juices at regular intervals. Although the new mutations of the H1N1 are scary, there is not a lot of evidence that shows children to be at high risk currently. Parents with above normal behavioural habits with extra focus on hygiene and diet should not be particularly worried.

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