MyGI - Inflammatory Bowel Disease Community

The Division of GI, Hepatology and Nutrition at BC Children’s Hospital has been working to coordinate the care of your child during the H1N1 Flu Virus or “Swine” Flu season in BC. While H1N1 is similar to other flu viruses, the number of people with HINI flu is higher than usual at this time of year and your child may have a higher chance of becoming infected with the HINI flu virus.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
 1. Help reduce the spread of this infection:

• Wash hands often.
• Sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve.
• Cough into your sleeve. 
• Remind friends or family not to visit if they are ill or if you have an ill member in your family.
• Avoid crowded areas when many people in your community are sick. 

 2. Vaccination is recommended
In accordance with the Provincial Health guidelines, children and youth with chronic illness (liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease or post liver transplant) should receive H1N1 vaccination when it first becomes available. We recommend that the others in your family also receive the H1N1 vaccine. Your child/youth should also receive the standard seasonal flu vaccine when it is released.

“CATCHING” HINI FLU: WHO IS AT RISK?
Experts have found that some children and youth with certain illnesses or medical concerns may become seriously ill or have complications if they catch the H1N1 flu. Children and youth on immunosuppression medications such as Prednisone, Azathioprine(Imuran®), 6MP(Purinethol®), Methotrexate, Infliximab(Remicade®) or  Adalimumab(Humera®) who become sick with H1N1 influenza have a higher chance of more severe illness and they may develop complications.

SYMPTOMS OF THE HINI FLU
The symptoms of HINI flu are very similar to typical seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches and pains, chills and fatigue. Some children may also have vomiting and diarrhea, or breathing symptoms without fever.

IF YOU THINK YOUR CHILD HAS THE FLU
If your child has HINI flu symptoms, please call your health care provider before you visit there in person. You can call your family doctor, pediatrician, or the Gastroenterology Clinic Nurse (604-875-2772) during regular office hours (Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). After regular office hours you can call the hospital switchboard at 604-875-2161 and ask for the GI doctor on call. It is very important to call if the fever lasts longer than 24 hours or if your child has breathing troubles.

IF MY CHILD HAS THE HINI FLU IS THERE ANY TREATMENT?     
Yes, a medication called Tamiflu® is an antiviral medicine. Tamiflu® will only help children who already have HINI flu infection and it works best if given in the first 12-48 hours after the flu symptoms begin. Tamiflu® is only recommended for your child after flu symptoms have started and may help your child from becoming more ill with the H1N1 flu virus. Tamiflu® is not recommended before flu symptoms begin or to prevent HINI infection.

Tamiflu® should only be taken after instruction from your family doctor, paediatrician, or your gastroenterologist. Talk to your family doctor, pediatrician, gastroenterologist or the GI clinic nurses about whether Tamiflu® might be helpful for your child.

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO IF MY CHILD HAS THE H1N1 FLU?

• Keep your child at home to rest
• Have your child drink plenty of liquids such as soup and Pedialyte.
• Give fever reducing medicine (Tylenol®) in doses as recommended by your doctor. This medicine will also keep your child more comfortable if they have a sore throat and muscle aches.
• Do not give Aspirin: It can cause a life threatening illness called Reye’s Syndrome. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HINI FLU
The Ministry of Health’s website http://www.gov.bc.ca/h1n1/has lots of up to date news about H1N1. It has information for parents and children about the virus, tips for preventing the spread of the flu and how to care of someone with the flu. You can also call the H1N1 Office, BC’s Children’s Hospital, at 1-888-300-3088 or look at the website http://www.bcchildrens.ca.

You can also check out our own GI website: http://www.myGI.ca

If there is a large increase in the number of cases of H1N1 flu virus there maybe changes to the clinics or regular activities at BC Children’s. Before you come to the hospital for your GI appointment please call 1-888-300-3088 or go to www.bcchildrens.ca to find out about clinic closures or other changes at BC Children’s Hospital as a result of H1N1.

We are committed to giving your child the best possible care. If you have any questions or concerns please call:

GI Nurse’s office, BC Children’s Hospital,
Monday – Friday between 08:30 am and 4:30 pm
Telephone 604-875-2772 or long distance 1-888-300-3088 x 2772

Sincerely,

The Division of GI, Hepatology and Nutrition,
BC Children’s Hospital