Tips for Preventing Swine Flu in Kids

Maintaining good hygiene is very important to prevent swine flu in kids. Read on to find tips and home remedies for preventing swine flu.The rising swine flu casualties must be giving jitters to you. You must be thinking about getting some steps that can save you and your family from falling prey to this epidemic. Well, the first thing that you need to know is that there is no need to panic.What you need right now is to understand the infection and know what it is. Well, there are many things that you can do to prevent swine flu in kids and you definitely do not need to stock Tamiflu and the N-95 masks at home.By encouraging your kids and family members to follow hygienic habits and through some home remedies you can prevent swine flu. Find about the common symptoms of swine flu and how you can protect your kids and family member from swine flu epidemic. In this articleWhat is Swine Flu?What are the Symptoms of Swine Flu?Treatment for Swine FluHome Remedies for Preventing Swine Flu in KidsUsing Tulsi (Basil) LeavesCamphor with Mashed Potato or BananaTurmeric MilkAloe Vera GelRegular ExerciseCitrus FruitsKeeping Hands CleanConsuming Enough of WaterDo Not PanicWhat is Swine Flu?Swine flu is a highly contagious disease having symptoms more or less similar to the regular viral illness. Although it originated from pigs, it is nowadays spreading through human-to-human contact.What are the Symptoms of Swine Flu?The symptoms vary from person-to-person. Where some show mild signs, some develop dehydration, pneumonia and even gets fatal in some cases. Symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of regular flu. They are:FeverCoughColdFatigueJoint painMuscle painIn severe cases, the symptoms are:DiarrhoeaVomitingAcute abdominal painSince kids are more prone to any kind of diseases, you need to be carefuland cautious. So, if your child is having fever and she refuses to eat anything or interact with you, you should immediately contact your doctor.Treatment for Swine FluIf your child has developed the signs of swine flu, your doctor may prescribe an anti-viral medicine and ask you to make her stay at home. Make sure she gets proper rest and also a lot of fluid to prevent her from dehydration. The ant-viral drugs will help her recover faster and this would happen only when it is given to your child within 48 hours of getting infected.Home Remedies for Preventing Swine Flu in KidsOne of the most important things that you need to know is that any kind of virus and bacteria can attack your child especially if her immune system is weak. However, after attacking it will weaken it for sure. So, the important point here is to build your own defence, which is definitely a better, more practical and economical idea to prevent yourself and your family from the deadly virus attack. But make sure that your consult a paediatrician before trying the following home remedies on your child to prevent swine flu.Using Tulsi (Basil) LeavesTake five leaves of Tulsi (basil leaves) and wash them thoroughly. Have this early in the morning. Tulsi has lot of therapeutic properties and it will keep throat and lungs of your child clear and help avoid the infection by strengthening her immune system.Camphor with Mashed Potato or BananaGive a small piece of camphor with mashed potato or banana to your kid once a month. Always keep in mind that camphor should not be taken daily or regularly. You can have it once or at the most twice a month.Turmeric MilkPersuade your child to drink a glass of lukewarm milk with about 1/4 th teaspoon of turmeric added to it before going to bed at night.Aloe Vera GelAloe Vera Gel taken with water daily can help boost yourchild’s immune systemRegular ExerciseLet your child have some exercise daily or engage her in some game which includes vigorous movement. This will help keep her throat and lungs in good condition.Citrus FruitsGive your child citrus fruits especially Indian gooseberry or amla. If fresh fruit isnot available, you can go for the juice also.Keeping Hands CleanMake it a habit to wash your child’s hands properly with warm water and soap especially before meals and after using the toilet. If your child travels in public transport to and from school, you can provide her alcohol based sanitizer to stay disinfected.Consuming Enough of WaterMake sure your child consumes enough water and fluid so that she remains hydrated throughout the day.If your child has cold, make sure she uses a tissue every time she sneezes and disposes it off. Educate your child and ask her to stay away from anyone who has cold or flu.In addition to taking the above advises, you should remain cautious and as soon as you see any alarming symptom, get your child checked in a healthcare centre. Since you know the symptoms now, you should not delay medical attention when needed. Swine flu can be checked if the person or the child gets proper medical attention within 48 hours of infection. If you are in an area where there has been an outbreak of swine flu, cover your nose and mouth with the mask.Do Not PanicOne of the most important things that you should keep in mind is not to panic in any situation. Even if you have returned from a place where there was an outbreak of swine flu, be careful and cautious for a week. Remember the incubation period is three to five days. So, if you remain free from any symptom of flu for a week, you are most probably not infected.However, the best way to protect yourself and your family from swine flu is to maintain good hygiene. In addition to washing hands regularly, you should also pay attention to cleaning all surfaces properly and habitually. Make your family have a balanced diet with fresh fruits and green vegetables so that you all get the necessary vitamins and minerals needed to fight infection.How do people get affected with swine flu? What are the common symptoms of swine flu? How to prevent swine flu in kids? Discuss here.