We are all aware of the recent, constant reminders to wash our hands often and use hand sanitizers as a back-up but did you know there is an actual movement afoot to end hand shaking?

I suppose it makes sense given the current H1N1 crisis but in the bigger picture, it’s sort of a scary thought. And when there is a colored wristband to accompany the initiative, you know that means business! Read on and see what you think…

It seems that lately, not an hour can go by without a mention of the H1N1 virus…whether it be on TV, in the papers, or just in our everyday conversations. When is the vaccine going to be available? Should we have our children vaccinated and if so, should it be the shot or the nasal mist? I feel like sometimes it’s so easy to just get caught up in whatever is the latest “mom chat” or the latest doctor interview on the morning news shows.

I happened to call our pediatrician’s office this morning to confirm an appointment for my son’s regular check-up and the recording on their phone menu announced that they had just received the nasal mist form of the H1N1 vaccine and that parents needed to call to schedule an appointment if their child falls under the guidelines for the nasal mist.  I know that their supplies are limited and so I figured I would jump on it right away, but then all of a sudden I realized I wasn’t absolutely certain that I wanted my children to be vaccinated. I began hearing the voices of the skeptics I’ve seen interviewed in the last month insisting that this is all too new and untested and therefore not proven to be safe. That got me to thinking, where do these new vaccines actually come from anyway and what exactly is in them. I did a bit of checking around and I came across this graphic that I found very helpful.

Truth be told, I have been anxiously awaiting the availability of the vaccine and not asking too many questions.  Now that it is actually an option for my children, I’m having to really think it through in a whole new light and being armed with information is the first step.

With the H1N1 (or swine flu) becoming more commonplace, a lot of fear and misconceptions are surfacing. So, who should come to the rescue to bust these myths? The Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters, of course!

While, Jamie and Adam’s simple tip is a no-brainer, there are many other worries that are addressed in the article MYTHS ABOUT H1N1 at Discovery.com. So remember to cover your nose, wash your hands and if you feel sick – stay home!

In August I took my 9 year old daughter for her annual check-up with our pediatrician. Among some of the other questions I had for him, I inquired about the H1N1 virus and asked whether the recommendation was for elementary school age children to receive the vaccine and if so when. He explained that the availability date for the H1N1 vaccine was not yet confirmed although it should be available some time in October and that we should stay in contact with him as to when and if to bring the kids in to be vaccinated. He then went on to talk to me about the seasonal flu vaccine that children typically receive in October and November. He said that this year, the CDC is recommending that children be vaccinated for seasonal flu closer to the start of school and that the thought is that this may provide some additional resistance in light of the H1N1 virus. He told me to bring my children in for their seasonal flu vaccine right after the Labor Day holiday.

So, we went back to the pediatrician’s office yesterday and my son and daughter both received the flumist nasal spray which is an alternate form of the injection, which in our case cuts down on the yelling and screaming. I guess I need to start working on developing a product that makes it easier for kids to get injections! I know that there is an overwhelming amount of information out there right now about the flu and H1N1 and the dangers for kids in schools throughout the country so I wanted to provide you with some concise recommendations recently issued by the CDC that will help to break it all down.

For those of you living in the U.S. who are interested in being vaccinated or having your children vaccinated for seasonal flu, Walgreens has a great program available this fall. Please visit their site!

Just thought I would share this video from the Today show. The CDC has just come out with their official recommendations for the H1N1 vaccine. You can also check out www.cdc.gov/flu

Here’s to good health!

With today’s CDC case study release that swine flu deaths are higher in older kids, safe health practices are more important than ever. The federal government’s report states that “one in 13 U.S. swine flu (H1N1) deaths have been children and most of the kids have been of school age.” How can you keep your kids safe and protected?

• If your child is “high-risk”, consider early treatment. Kids/teens with asthma or diabetes, heart problems, have compromised immune systems, or have neuromuscular diseases are considered high risk. Immunity is not immediate and experts expect that it will take 2 shots, taken 3 weeks apart, to offer protection from the virus.
• Encourage your kids not to share food or drinks.
  
• Encourage them to be vigilant. Cover their mouths when they cough. Wash their hands.
• Send your kids to school with anti-bacterial lotion and encourage them to use it regularly.
• Consider when to keep your kids at home. The CDC recommends that in elevated swine flu scenarios, if there is a sick family member in the home, that children stay home as well.

The CDC also recommends these simple steps to keep you and your kids safe:

1. Avoid people who are sick.
2. Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.
3. Ensure that family members wash their hands often.
4. Void touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
5. Stay home and keep your kids home when sick.

What can parents do to prepare themselves?

• Think about your plan if your child’s school dismisses early or shuts down.
• Understand that while a seasonal flu vaccination is the best way to prevent seasonal flu, it won’t prevent swine flu.
• Know when to take your child to a doctor. According to WebMD.com, if your child is 5 years or older and is in otherwise good health, consult your doctor as needed. If your child is younger than 5 or is considered “high-risk”, consult your doctor immediately. Possible symptoms include:
  • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
  • Bluish or gray skin color
  • Not drinking enough fluids
  • Severe or persistent vomiting
  • Not waking up or not interacting
  • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
  • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and cough

Here are some great resources with swine flu info and tips:

• CDC: 2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
• WebMD: Swine Flu: 10 Things Not to Do
• WebMD: Swine Flu Q&A: What Parents Need to Know
• U.S. News & World Report: Swine Flu: 5 Ways to Keep Your Kids Safe
• Examiner.com: Swine Flu 101: For Kids

Complacency and/or panic are the worst ways to deal with the potentiality of swine flu. By following common sense practices and acting when necessary, you can do your best to prevent swine flu in your family.

With all the recent news about the H1N1 Virus (otherwise known as the Swine Flu) swirling around us, I find myself in high mommy paranoia mode. My 10 year old son suffers from seasonal allergies and he is experiencing the worst of it now. With every cough, sneeze or blow of the nose, I find myself checking him for a fever even though I know his symptoms are purely allergy related.

In the absence of this nationwide health alert, I would be much more rational but I find myself  falling prey to the anxiety that comes with each additional school closing announced on the evening news. My children’s school has cornered the market on Purell and they are taking every necessary precaution. Still, when I received an email this morning from their school nurse sent to all parents and the subject line read, “Health Advisory Alert,” my heart stopped. Strange as it may sound, I was relieved to hear that the nurse was reporting 2 cases of relatively common and non life -threatening viruses …Fifth disease and Coxsackie. It’s best to be alerted to what has been diagnosed in other children at school so that we are able to be on the lookout for similar symptoms with our own kids at home.

We are all living through some scary times, and the media can make it even scarier, but at the end of the day our best tool still remains our mothers’ instinct. We need to stay calm and listen to the voice of reason that lies deep (often very deep) within.