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Pandemic
Parenting
Are you prepared for the 3 most important
challenges
that may affect you and your
family?

Sickness
School Closure
Shortages and Disrupted
Services

Parenting during a pandemic

period can try any parent’s
nerves. Families may face a
number of unusual challenges
that will interrupt family routines
for anywhere from a few days to
several weeks.
 Furthermore, parents are
concerned about their children’s
health given the current H1N1 pandemic. While most
cases
are mild, parents need to care for sick children
(and
themselves) vigilantly, in case
severe illness develops
It is anticipated that the current 2009 H1N1
Medications
‘Swine Flu’ Pandemic will be a ‘category 2’. to by the US Government to schools for
Help Lessen Symptoms of Flu
possible
According The following is a recommendation school
to the CDC Pandemic scale this means it
Note: Check with your healthcare
closure during a provider
pandemic: or pharmacist for
is ‘mild’ in nature. correct, safe
use of medications. The decision to dismiss students should
be
Antiviral medications can
madesometimes
locally andhelp lessen
should influenza
balance thesymptoms,
goal
but require a prescription. Most people do not need
of reducing the number of people who these antiviral
drugs to fully recover from
becomethe flu. However, persons at higher risk for
severe flu complications, or those
seriously with
ill or diesevere flu illnesswith
from influenza who require
hospitalization, might benefit from antiviral medications.
the goal of minimizing social disruption
and
Antiviral medications are available
safety forchildren
risks to personssometimes
1 year of age and older.
Ask your health care provider whether
associated you need antiviral medication.
Inwith
case schools
school close(Flu.gov)
dismissal. in your area,
Influenza infections can lead to or occur with bacterial infections.
families
Therefore, some people will also need to take antibiotics. More severe
should consider the following
or prolonged illness, or illness that seems to get better, but then gets
worse again, may bePandemic
an indication that a person has a bacterial
infection. Check withpreparations:
your health care provider if you have
concerns.
• Purchase groceries & beverages so
Warning! Do not give that aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) to children or
teenagers who haveyou the flu;
havethisat
can causetwo
least a rare but serious
weeks’ worthillness
of
Although mild, this flu will most likely result in
called Reye’s syndrome.all
an Warning Signs - Seek essentials on hand. “During a pandemic,
increase in the numbers of illness andingredient
deaths labels
Medical Help
compared to what we usuallyto
ASAP
• Check
experience
on over-the-counter cold and flu medications
a if aspirin.
see if they in
contain
regular seasonal flu event. The period of you cannot get to a store, or if stores are
days,• Fast breathing or trouble • Children 5 years ofout ageofand older and teenagers with the flu can take
breathing
leading into weeks, that the pandemic
medicines virus supplies,
without aspirin, such it will be important for
as acetaminophen you to and
(Tylenol®)
circulates have Nuprin®), to relieve symptoms.
ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®,
• Bluish
throughout ouror gray
local skin color will
communities, extra supplies on hand. This can be useful
result in the interruption of usual • Children in 4 years of age should NOT be given over-the
familyyounger than
• Not drinking enough fluids
routines counter cold otherwithout
medications types of emergencies,
first speaking withsuch as power
a health care
provider. outages and disasters.” (CDC, Pandemic
such as school attendance, extra family
• Not urinating or no tears
activities, Flu
• The safest care forPlanning
flu symptoms in children
Checklist younger than
for Individuals and2 years of
when
shopping andcrying
doctor appointments as ana cool-mist humidifier
age is using and a suction bulb to help clear
attempt is made to stop the spread of the Families).
away mucus.
virus.• Severe or persistent vomiting Some grocery stores may even have
• Fevers and aches can shortened hours,
be treated withdue to illness ofortheir
acetaminophen ibuprofen, or
Due to• Not waking up
the increase or notnonsteroidal
in expected is employees.
illness, itanti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). However, patients
interacting
important withtheir
for families to prepare
households kidney disease or Remember:
stomach problems“Stock what
should you eat, eat
check with their
NOW •for Being
theseso irritable
expected health
that the in
disruptions what you stock.”
Childcare
normalchild does Options to care AVOID:
of
provider before taking any NSAIDS. Examples of these kinds
familynot want to
routines. be held
Imagine a weather event that
medications include Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen.
keeps the kids home unexpectedly, with
• Pain
families or pressure
child-care groups. in the chest
• Over-the-counter cold and flu medications used according to the
or to
rushing abdomen
fill pantries, rescheduling
package outside
activities instructions may help lessen some symptoms such as cough and
• Sudden
or arranging dizziness
child care for that day or
congestion.
several days.
• Confusion Note: These medications will not lessen how infectious a
Multiply that by many more days. person
• Flu-like
Preparing symptoms
for a pandemic is. we have the
improve
event,
butofthen
‘luxury’ return such
anticipating with afever and and
disruption
• Note: Check the ingredients on the package label to see if the
worse cough
preplanning medication