Your School Age Children And Swine Flu - Why They Are At Greater Risk

Your School Age Children And Swine Flu - Why Are They At Greater Risk

There is good news and bad news regarding the swine flu. The good news is that the government indicates that a vaccine for swine flu may be ready by late October or early November But unfortunately, flu season generally begins in September as our children are just going back to school. As a result, your school age children may be exposed to the swine flu virus several months before the vaccine becomes available. So what are the risks and what can you do now to protect your school age children?

School age children that have some underlying health conditions, are faced with an increased risk for severe complications or even death if they get the H1N1 virus These high risk diseases include; frequent chest colds, asthma, copd, emphysema, and other lung conditions. Some school age children can have a very mild case of asthma even though they've never had an asthma attack. When this occurs, swine flu can result in an extremely hazardous condition. If your child has any of the diseases listed above, you should make it a point to call your physician right away and discuss precautions you and your school age children should take regarding the H1N1 virus before they go back to school.

In the event of an outbreak of H1N1 and one of your school age children has a lung condition like asthma, your child will have a higher risk for serious complications or even death. It is well documented that those who have asthma have a significantly greater risk of getting severe complications than others.

In fact, nearly 41% of swine flu hospital patients in New York City suffered from asthma or a similar lung condition. And recently, seven deaths relating to swine flu were reported in New York. Of those 7 deaths, six of the individuals had asthma. If you are worried about your school age children with asthma, you should call your doctor and ask him if he advises any special precautions regarding the your children and the H1N1 virus even before an outbreak occurs in your area.

The Swine flu is a virus that induces influenza in humans. The pathogen has gone thru a recent mutation into its current form. Due to this recent mutation, humans have no protection from the illness. This is the reason that health professionals are worried about the possibility of a pandemic.

Like the seasonal flu, severe illnesses and death has taken place as a consequence of illness associated with this serious disease. In the US alone, nearly thirty-six thousandpeople die each year from influenza related issues.

If you worry about your school age children, safeguarding your loved ones, or know someone that has one or more of the risk factors listed above, do some swine influenza preparation now. Do what is necessary to guard yourself and your loved ones from the swine influenza. Once a pandemic strikes, it may be too late.

For more information on safe guarding your school age children, download my guide on How To Reduce Your Risk Of Swine Flu Infection By 98%. You can download the complete system at Children and Swine Flu!