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Baby has influenza A (H1N1): the essentials to know about this disease
La baby flu A (H1N1) is very common. Very contagious, it can be transmitted quickly from one child to another. Fortunately, the influenza A is, in the vast majority of cases, benign in young children. However, certain risk factors can lead to more or less serious complications … To help baby fight this disease well, here is all the useful information for you.
How does a baby get the A (H1N1) flu?
La childhood influenza A (H1N1) is caused by H1N1 virus, the flu virus. It is a mutated virus, derived from several influenza viruses that affect pigs, birds and humans. Whether at daycare or school, the contagion at H1N1 virus going well. Sneezing, postilations: the virus spreads through the air via expectorated droplets. It can then enter the baby’s body through the mouth, eyes and nose. the H1N1 virus can also be placed on a blanket, a doorknob, clothes … Once a baby has touched an infected object, all he has to do is rub his eyes or bring his hands to his mouth to contract the influenza A.
The different symptoms of influenza A (H1N1) can then appear in children. Baby has a fever, shivers, coughs (dry cough)… He has a sore throat, headache and sulks food. He is very tired and feels stiff. Diarrhea and vomiting are not systematic but can occur. Painful for the child to live with, these symptoms are not necessarily bad. On the other hand, you must be extremely vigilant if your baby already had a severe respiratory disease (eg: asthma, pneumonia), diabetes, kidney failure or even heart problems. the H1N1 virus can indeed worsen his illness and lead to urgent hospitalization. Fatal outcomes exist but remain rare.
In the particular context of pregnancy, cases of transmission of the virus from the mother to the fetus are extremely rare. They are a little higher at childbirth. However, it is not so much the health of the baby as that of the mother that is at risk. A pregnant woman with influenza A (H1N1) can indeed suffer from quite serious complications. It must therefore be followed closely by the nursing staff.
How is influenza A (H1N1) diagnosed in children?
Better to take baby to see a pediatrician as soon as symptoms appear. The latter are not always sufficiently characteristic to diagnose with certainty grippe A (H1N1). They are, for example, similar to those of nasopharyngitis. However, the presence of a H1N1 flu epidemic in the region can significantly contribute to the diagnosis. Virological examinations may sometimes be requested, especially if the child has risk factors or seems really badly affected. Samples (mucus or blood) are then examined to confirm the presence of an influenza virus.
How to prevent and treat baby’s influenza A (H1N1)?
Prevention is better than cure: you can have your child vaccinated against influenza A (H1N1) from the age of 6 months. During a flu epidemic, it is also advisable to wash your hands frequently. Sneeze into a tissue or the crease of your elbow, never in your hands! If the baby is already flu, he will normally follow a treatment with paracetamol or ibuprofen (never aspirin against this flu) to stop the symptoms. Very young children (less than 6 months) and those with a risk area are entitled to a special antiviral drug: Tamiflu. Also keep baby away from other children during his contagious period. Know that your baby is contagious about 1 day before the onset of symptoms and a full week after they appear.
Influenza A: should baby be vaccinated?
According to the recommendations of the Ministry of Health, should be vaccinated, in priority and in the following order:
– pregnant women ;
– the entourage of infants under 6 months;
– professionals responsible for childcare;
– children aged 6 to 23 months with risk factors (suffering from severe chronic pathologies: asthma, diabetes, cardiac malformation, renal failure, immunodeficiency, etc.);
– people aged 2 to 64 with risk factors;
– children aged 6 to 23 months without risk factors;
– people aged 2 to 18 without risk factors.
Babies under 6 months of age will not be able to receive the vaccine against the vaccinate the child against influenza A (H1N1) (H1N1).
Should we be wary of the influenza A vaccine?
Many parents wonder about the impact that this “remedy”, developed in just a few months, could have on the health of their child …
Dr. Brigitte Virey’s opinion: 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. These are substances added to boost the patient’s immune response. One of the adjuvants of the influenza A vaccine has already been proven to be safe. It is used in the vaccine against the seasonal flu that has been given to 45 million people without any complications. But as a precaution, pregnant women and toddlers will be administered doses without adjuvants.
On the other hand, there is reason to wonder about the accumulation of vaccinations. Children, especially those with risk factors, already have a busy immunization schedule! If, this year, we add to them in addition the two doses of the vaccine against influenza A… The pediatricians will have to arrange to space the injections as well as possible.
Detecting and treating influenza A in a baby
Symptoms of (H1N1) in infants and young 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, in children under 3, it is often difficult to distinguish between influenza A, seasonal influenza, nasopharyngitis or even a cold! Have your little one examined by a pediatrician anyway.
What treatment is reserved for children with influenza A?
The symptoms generally pass after administration of paracetamol or ibuprofen (forget aspirin!). Tamiflu is only for infants (0-6 months) and children with risk factors.
Note: pulmonary complications (aggravated asthma, appearance of bronchitis or pneumonia) testify to the seriousness of the infection in a toddler. It is then necessary to hospitalize him.