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How to Check for Life-Threatening H1N1 Symptoms in Children

It is important for parents and caregivers to be alert for warning signs that the swine flu has become life- threatening in children. Recognizing the 2009 H1N1 virus signs early can prevent life-threatening complications such as co-infection of bacteria (pneumonia) simultaneously with the swine flu virus. The symptoms of swine flu in children can quickly change from bad to worse. While deaths among children with the H1N1 virus are rare, hospitalization numbers continue to rise of children infected with H1N1. The highest population rate hospitalized is children from age 0-4 years old. According to the CDC for the week of Oct. 2009, 19 pediatric deaths were due to the swine flu. Of these children two thirds had underlying medical conditions. The CDC reports 114 deaths of children with H1N1 since April 2009. The detection of symptoms of life-threatening H1N1 in children early on, can save a child's life.

  1. Watch closely for changes in children that have contracted swine flu. These changes in H1N1 infected children could mean serious illness, serious reaction to the swine flu, and life-threatening symptoms.

  2. Watch for a developing fever with a rash. Contact your primary care physician if fever goes beyond 102 degrees F. for infants and children older than 3 months. For infants up to 3 months old 100.4 degrees F. is critical.

  3. Watch for signs of skin changing to a bluish or grey color.

  4. Watch for lack of thirst and severe dehydration.

  5. Watch for failure to wake up easily or interact.

  6. Watch for irritability, especially if the sick child does not want to be held.

  7. Watch for fast or troubled breathing.

  8. Watch for improvement in symptoms, then a returning cough and fever.
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