H1N1 Stomach Flu

H1N1 Stomach Flu and Influenza: Sorting out Confusions

 
With the current hype regarding the h1n1 and stomach flu, many of us literally do not understand what is really going on.’ Should I get my little one vaccinated?’ is one of the very major questions we are stuck with. Here is the compilation of information from the guidelines offered by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control. Go through it and make your final decision with ease.
 

Signs and Symptoms

 
Influenza or the seasonal flu is generally characterized by cold, cough, fever, sore throat, chills, fatigue and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. However h1n1 stomach flu have very similar symptoms and hence differentiating between the three becomes very tough.
 
The best way to distinguish between h1n1, stomach flu and seasonal flu is via a nasal swab test wherein the virus causing the ailment is diagnosed and reported. While a lab test at the clinic of a pediatrician can easily detect the seasonal flu, the lab test for swine flu is done at the state health department, hospitals or state laboratories.
 
Stomach flu is more of a stomach ailment whereas seasonal flu is a respiratory illness that is common during the winter every year.
 

Contagiousness of H1N1 Stomach Flu and Influenza

 
H1N1, Stomach flu and Influenza are all contagious. Salivary droplets that contain the contaminants are the main cause of transmission. It tends to spread when the patient sneezes and cough. Using the items that the patient uses can also transmit the disease if they contain those contaminated droplets.

Prevention of H1N1 Stomach Flu

The only way of preventing the h1n1 stomach flu and influenza is to maintain personal hygiene. If your child gets infected, make him understand as to how to sneeze within his elbows. Let him be away from school for a week and try teaching your kid to wash hands often since that can prevent frequent contamination.

Note on the High Risk Group

The high risk group constitutes children and people with pulmonary, cardiac, muscular, metabolic and sickle cell diseases. The category also includes people suffering from cancer or children who have been put on aspirin therapy.

Children between 6 months to 4 years of age are yet another group that is very prone to this infection.

HIN1 Stomach Flu and Influenza Vaccination Details

While there are yearly seasonal flu shots available, we are yet to get a vaccine for treating the h1n1 strain of viruses. Children who are older than 6 months of age should definitely get the seasonal flu vaccine on time and children who are under 9 years of age must get a couple of flu shots during the first year of vaccine. Generally the flu shot helps in preventing 70-90% of all types of seasonal flu.

However it’s a biting reality that the seasonal flu shot does not battle against the h1n1 strain of viruses. For the stomach flu, there is no treatment necessary. However if symptoms prolong, it is essential that you contact your medical practitioner and get treated on time.

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