Swine Flu - Information for Parents
For the most up-to-date information:
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Visit www.health.vic.gov.au
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Call the Influenza Hotline on 180 2007 or
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Call Nurse-on-Call on 1300 60 60 24 – for expert health information and advice (freecall 24 hours, 7 days)
Swine Flu - Information for Parents
5th June 2009
General H1N1 influenza (‘swine flu’) virus information for families attending RCH
Concern about H1N1 influenza (also known as swine flu) has resulted in many patients coming to RCH Emergency with flu like symptoms.
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Some will have ordinary influenza
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Some will have the H1N1 (swine flu) strain of Influenza.
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Some will have other respiratory viruses
The swine flu strain of influenza has so far caused only a mild illness in most patients, and many patients are recovering quickly even without any specific treatment. The virus has so far been mild and can be compared to our normal winter flu.
We are treating patients at RCH in accordance with Department of Human Services’ policy. This has changed recently as Victoria has moved into the ‘modified’ sustain phase of managing the influenza pandemic.
The virus is now in general circulation in the community - as happens with respiratory viruses every winter. There is no longer a need to quarantine everyone who has flu like symptoms or who has been in contact with a confirmed case of swine flu.
We are no longer isolating patients with viral respiratory symptoms but patients with flu like illness will be asked to wear a surgical mask to protect other people from any potential infection.
Good advice for everyone includes:
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Wash your hands. Wash them often with soap and water - especially after you cough or sneeze. This is the most effective thing that you can do
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Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
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Throw the tissue in a plastic-lined rubbish bin after you use it.
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
If you are concerned that your child is particularly vulnerable to respiratory viral infections (for example because of a long term medical problem) – please mention this to our staff and we will discuss what we can do to help.
More information from the Department of Human Services can be found at
www.humanswineflu.health.vic.gov.au/
3 June 2009
The Royal Children’s Hospital has opened a Flu Clinic to manage the increased number of patients presenting at our Emergency department. The Flu Clinic is located at the Green Desk on the ground floor of the hospital adjacent to Emergency.
If your child has mild flu-like symptoms including fever, runny nose or cough, our advice is to treat them at home first. Give them paracetamol, fluids and rest. Keep them away from school.
If symptoms do not subside, take your child to your local doctor. This is consistent with the Department of Human Services’ advice to the community
If the symptoms become more serious and your child is lethargic, has a high fever and is not drinking fluids, certainly take your child back to the doctor or hospital emergency department.
If you are bringing your child to The Royal Children's Hospital Emergency department please come to the Emergency entrance off Gatehouse Street. Patients, families and visitors with flu like symptoms should not come into the main hospital.
Once you reach Emergency you will be greeted by a nurse and directed either to Emergency or to the Flu Clinic.
The latest information about swine flu from the Department of Human Services can be found at www.health.vic.gov.au/