Swine Flu Symptoms in Toddlers

The outbreak of swine flu in the year 2009 created a huge pandemonium. We were in the dark about its symptoms, but now, thankfully, we have information on it. First thing to note is that swine flu has been around for a long time, and that it is just another type of influenza caused due to the H1N1 virus. However, it is necessary to take care of the person who contracts swine flu. In order to ascertain that the person is suffering from swine flu, it is important to know the symptoms for the same. Let us look at these in detail.

It is believed that the outbreak of swine flu started with those farmers who used to work in close contact with the pigs. They, later, spread the infection amongst others. Swine flu is thus caused due to the transmission of H1N1 virus from an infected person. A person who is infected, is contagious for the first five days. When children are infected, they are contagious for about 10 days. When such a person or child sneezes or coughs, the infection starts spreading amongst others. Swine flu can also be caused due to the spread of live virus from one person to another. This virus can spread through nose, mouth or even by touching other people. There are various other facts about swine flu too which need to be understood to avoid another great swine flu epidemic.

Symptoms
The following paragraphs will discuss the symptoms of swine flu in children. It is important to understand that these need to be treated in time, else they could lead to severe complications. When it comes to children, toddlers who are less than 5 years of age are the ones which are at a high risk of suffering from complications arising due to swine flu. Those children who suffer from asthma, lung diseases, heart diseases and kidney diseases are also at the risk of developing complications. However, all these can be avoided, if you know the symptoms in toddlers. Mentioned below are common symptoms of swine flu in children who are more than 5 years old.

• High fever
• Headaches
• Chills
• Sore throat or strep throat
• Extreme fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Runny nose
• Muscle ache
• Loss of appetite
• Drowsiness
• Rash on skin

Children who are under the age of 5 and toddlers who suffer from various chronic illnesses will show different symptoms along with the aforementioned swine flu symptoms. These swine flu symptoms in babies are listed below.

• Difficulty in breathing
• Dizziness
• Listlessness
• Unable to make eye contact
• High fever
• Lethargy
• Severe loss of appetite
• Unwillingness to get up
• Severe skin rash
• Blue colored or gray colored skin
• Unable to hold food for a long time
• Inability to drink fluids
• Recurrence of the same symptoms after a while

When the child shows these symptoms, it is necessary to rush him/her to the doctor who will diagnose the swine flu based on tests and symptoms shown. If the child is suffering from any chronic illness, it is necessary to mention this to the doctor to enable corrective and effective fast treatments.

Treatment
As mentioned earlier, most of us were in dark about the flu and hence, the proper course of treatments could not be decided. However, the treatments are now easily administered. The treatments usually involves plenty of rest and fluids. Some pain killers are suggested so that the person can rest peacefully without being bothered by the body aches, headaches and fever. Other than that, a tablet called Tamiflu is given by the doctors. However, this differs from case to case, and is decided only by the doctor. There are several other swine flu natural remedies that could be followed at home too. However, follow these remedies under the guidance of a doctor.

Prevention
It is rightly said Prevention is better than cure. So, how to prevent swine flu? There are various ways in which you can prevent yourself from getting affected by swine flu. Washing hands regularly with soap and water, or with hand sanitizers is an important habit that needs to be inculcated. Covering the mouth when sneezing and coughing is important. Covering your mouth when the others around you are sneezing and coughing is also very important. Another method of prevention is taking the swine flu vaccine which is available in most hospitals.

It is important to look for the symptoms in toddlers, when the child is suffering from any kind of flu, so as to avoid any complications arising from them. Do not hesitate to take the child to the doctor for timely treatment. Lastly, do not panic when the doctor announces that your child has contracted swine flu. Remember that swine flu is treatable and your child will be fine in no time.