Influenza A

Influenza A: how to protect your child?

Children, a prime target for influenza A

Children and teens, in prolonged contact in class and at recess, quickly spread the disease. As proof, this figure: 60% of people with influenza A are under 18.

However, parents do not have to fear the disease. It remains benign for most children.

Good reflexes, from an early age!

The only way to avoid contamination is to adopt strict hygiene rules, at school and at home.

Teach your child to:

— wash one’s hands regularly with soap and water or a hydroalcoholic solution;

— cough and sneeze while protecting yourself in the crease of the elbow;

— use disposable tissues, to throw them immediately in a closed bin and wash one’s hands after ;

— avoid close contact with the little classmates.

Influenza A: do we vaccinate or not?

A vaccine not compulsory, but recommended!

The Ministry of Health recommends that children be vaccinated as a priority against, from the age of 6 months, in particular if they have risk factors (asthma, diabetes, heart defect, renal failure, immunodeficiency, etc.). The vaccine protects children, but above all limits the spread of the H1N1 virus.

Several vaccines are currently available in France. Most require two doses, three weeks apart.

Where and when to get vaccinated?

Parents of children attending kindergarten or primary school must go, without making an appointment, to the vaccination center indicated on the invitation.

For practical questions, middle and high school students are invited to be vaccinated during sessions organized in their school, with the permission of their parents.

With or without adjuvants?

Rappel : vaccine adjuvants are chemicals added to boost the patient’s immune response.

According to pediatrician Brigitte Virey *, “there is no need to worry about the nature of the vaccines. It is the adjuvants which they contain which are implicated and accused of causing possible side effects ”.

This is why, as a precaution, vaccines against influenza A without adjuvants are given as a priority to pregnant women, children aged 6 to 23 months and people with a particular immune deficiency or certain allergies.

Nevertheless, it seems that each vaccination center applies its own rules …

You are still hesitating …

What does your pediatrician think? Ask him for his opinion on vaccination! If you chose him, you trust him.

* member of the infectiology / vaccinology group of the French Association of Ambulatory Pediatrics

Influenza A: detecting and treating it

Influenza A, seasonal flu: what’s the difference?

The symptoms of (H1N1) in children are similar to those in adults: temperature above 38 ° C, fatigue, lack of tone, loss of appetite, dry cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain …

However, it is often difficult to distinguish between influenza A and seasonal influenza. Doctors only test for the H1N1 virus if there are complications.

At the first symptoms, do not take your child to school! Consult your pediatrician.

What treatment is reserved for children in case of influenza A?

The symptoms generally pass after administration of paracetamol or ibuprofen (forget aspirin!). In principle, Tamiflu is only used for infants (0-6 months) and children with risk factors. But some pediatricians extend the prescription to all.

Note: pulmonary complications (aggravated asthma, appearance of bronchitis or pneumonia) testify to the seriousness of the infection. Your child must then be hospitalized!