H1N1, Asthma & Children: Checklist for Parents

USA Today's recent article warns that H1N1 and asthma can be a dire combination for children with asthma.  The story reveals:

While H1N1's effects in a healthy child can range anywhere from mild congestion and sore throat to serious respiratory illness, and even death, the 7 million American kids who have asthma are at a higher risk for complications and death if they contract the novel flu virus, says Tom Skinner of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The story also includes a Checklist for Parents of Asthmatics that includes these tips from the CDC: 

• Flu vaccine by injection is recommended by the CDC, not nasal mist. 

• Make sure you have an updated Asthma Action Plan filed at school and extra medications on hand in case doses need to be adjusted up. 

• Encourage good hand-washing.

• Even if your child gets vaccinated, the vaccines are not foolproof, so don't drop your guard. Keep child on maintenance medications and be sensitive to new or worsening symptoms. 

• Children with asthma who get H1N1 are more at risk for developing pneumonia.

• If your child goes to the hospital, make sure you have an Asthma Action Plan when you leave, including a list of all drugs to be taken. Do not skip or stop medication before prescribed time. 

The full story is available at USA Today here.

More information on H1N1 and Asthma is here.