Our body is host to more than a thousand different types of bacteria at any one time. Some of these are good bacteria, such as those that reside in your gut, and are actually needed to digest certain foods.

We’ve been exposed to contagious diseases to gain immunity since the time we were born, and your kids are just beginning that process. Any parent will discover that when the child starts pre-school or kindergarten, he or she gets sick easily.

 

However by the time the child goes to Primary 3, he or she is seldom sick. This is because the child has, by that time, acquired the natural immunity to many diseases. Getting there earlier is what we like to call the antibodies arms race,

 

Thankfully, there are some heavy weapons and guerilla tactics your child can find helpful in winning the war against influenza.

First, get yourself vaccinated against flu. While no flu vaccine yet exists for H1N1, if you have an infant less than 6 months of age, you are still likely to benefit from a flu shot, because if you get sick with the lesser variety, you won’t be transmitting it to your baby.

 

The main way that flu spreads in respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing. This can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled (generally up to 2 metres) through the air and infect someone nearby. Though much less frequent, the flu may also spread through indirect contact with respiratory droplets.

 

Hence, you can protect yourself and your infant by adopting the following habits:

1.       Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue away after you use it.

2.       You should also wash your hands afterwards, and often, with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If you are not near water, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.

3.       Stay away from people who are sick, sneezing or coughing.

4.       Avoid touching your infant’s eyes, nose, or mouth, to prevent infection via these routes. The same applies for yourself.

 

 If you suspect flu …

Flu-like symptoms include a fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, or body aches. If you notice the onset of these symptoms in yourself:

·         Try to minimize contact with your infant as much as possible.

·         Before engaging in any activity within 3 feet of your infant (including feeding, changing, rocking, reading to your child), put on a surgical mask and thoroughly wash and dry your hands. Do not remove your surgical mask until you are done and you have put your infant down.

·         Take these precautions for the first 7 days of your illness (beginning the first day you notice symptoms).

·         See a doctor

·         Observe your infant closely for symptoms as well. If your baby has the following symptoms, there's a good chance that it's the flu:

·         The sudden onset of fever, typically 38.3 degrees Celsius or higher

·         Fatigue, and chills, followed by respiratory symptoms such as a runny nose and a dry cough

·         If congestion or coughing shows up much before the fever, it's more likely your baby has a cold.

 

Your baby may also be irritable and have a poor appetite, a sore throat, and swollen glands. The flu can also bring on abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.