Parents worried about flu — the swiney variety or any other — might want to check out the information assembled and released today by the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.
The web document was released after a hastily-arranged news conference this afternoon at Hopkins in which emergency room physicians, pediatric infectious disease specialists and others were made available to answer questions.
Some advice there is going to be news to most parents, such as: if your child has flu-like symptoms and you call the doctor and they recommend you come in, “have your child wear a mask.” Are they serious?
The event seemed designed in part to allay anxious parents’ fears: “In the past week, Baltimore hospitals have seen an increase in visits to the emergency departments by concerned parents,” the news release said.
An excerpt:
FLU SHOULD BE TREATED AT HOME MOST OF THE TIME
The flu is caused by a VIRUS and does NOT respond to antibiotics.
Give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) as directed on the bottle for fevers, headache and body aches.
Have your child drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. This is especially important if your child has high fever, vomiting or diarrhea.
When Should I Seek Medical Treatment?
Sometimes it is appropriate to take your child to the doctor. Children most likely to need medical treatment from their doctor for influenza infection are those who are very young or have serious medical conditions (such as cancer or lung disease, or who are on dialysis).
If you think your child needs medical treatment, CALL your pediatrician’s office first. “
