The authorities anticipate that in December-January there will be a spike of influenza A infections. Children are an easily contagious group, so the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP) has just launched a consensus document that has been prepared on the Recommendations on the management of influenza in Pediatrics 2009-10.
Despite being easily infected with influenza A H1N1 causes a milder disease than seasonal flu and with a lower mortality. It states that in 95% of cases the disease will be mild and will be resolved in a few days with the same measures we take when we have a normal flu.
In general, the document refers to the diagnosis in children, in what cases the tests are carried out and in what they consist, how to act if the child is infected or suspect that he has influenza A, what are the risk groups and how to treat the disease in children (with a special section for infants).
Of course, he also talks about prevention and the flu vaccine, which he recommends for children over 6 months.
I advise you to have on hand during the next months the document prepared by the AEP to be able to consult it. Information is the best way to really approach this disease to face it with knowledge if it comes to us.
Document | Recommendations on the management of influenza in Pediatrics 2009-10. Consensus document of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics in Babies and more | Influenza A: only children older than 6 months with chronic diseases will be vaccinated
