Main Category: Swine Flu
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Flu / Cold / SARS;  Public Health
Article Date: 23 Aug 2009 - 2:00 PDT

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that children with severe or deteriorating illness, and those at risk of more severe complications from swine flu (H1N1) infection, should receive prompt antiviral treatment - this includes all children under the age of 5 years.

However, otherwise healthy children over 5 who have mild symptoms need not be given antiviral treatment, unless their condition deteriorates.

WHO said that following recent publications of two clinical reviews, some concerns have emerged about the advisability of giving antivirals to some children.

The following should be considered as danger signs and symptoms:

Shortness of breath while physically active or resting

Breathing difficulties

Face turning blue

Chest pain

Colored or bloody sputum

Altered mental state

Fever that continues for over three days

Hypotension (low blood pressure)
In children, the following are also danger signs:

Fast or difficult breathing

Lack of alertness

Difficulty in waking up

Little desire to play

No desire to play

Health care professionals, patients and people providing home-based care need to be aware of these signs as they can be indications of serious complications. If any of the signs appear in a person who is confirmed or suspected of H1N1 (swine flu) infection, medical help should be sought immediately because progression can be extremely fast.

There is concern in the UK about the overuse of antivirals, such as Tamiflu, as well as widespread lack of adherence - people starting the antiviral course but not completing it. If people do not complete their course of treatment the risk of resistance increases significantly.

Written by Christian Nordqvist

View drug information on Tamiflu capsule.