Swine Flu...Take 2

Wednesday, November 18, 2009
by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

I had to come back to this topic.

Why?

News about it is everywhere. Like I've said before, I like being a little naive and living in my bubble of children's silly songs and baby babble, but even without all the media hype, I gotta admit, I'm hearing about this daily.

Last week, it was the panicked email from an expecting colleague questioning her safety in being around children in a school setting.

Then, the news came that my daughter's caregiver has it.

What?!

Really?!

Okay, I'm trying not to panic here. After all, "the greatest thing we have to fear is fear itself," right? At least that's what I'm telling myself.

As a follow-up to the recent post www.planningfamily.com/blog/everything-will-be-just-swine/, I thought it would be wise to tackle the question, how would swine flu (AKA H1N1) affect my child's development? What will happen if my child gets H1N1?

In search of more answers, I found the following link quite helpful:

www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/may09swinefluqanda.htm#9

In considering pulling out the face masks for protection (Halloween has passed), I have also learned that simple handwashing is a more effective means of protection.

And, for those new mamas who are wondering if you can still breastfeed if you contract H1N1, of course, the first answer is always talk with your doctor, but the short answer (AAP approved) is that the influenze virus is NOT transmitted by breastmilk.

Again, everything will be swine, oh yes, really, I do mean fine.

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