Swine flu is the common name for the novel influenza virus now known as H1N1. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the effects of swine flu on infants may be particularly severe. Antiviral therapy administered within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms may reduce the risk of serious complications, including death. Infants exhibiting symptoms of swine flu require prompt medical attention.
Systemic Symptoms
Systemic symptoms reflect the burden of disease on the entire body. In a June 2009 article in the "New England Journal of Medicine," fever over 101.3 degrees F (38 degrees C) was the most common symptom of swine flu, present in 94 percent of patients, including infants. However, not all infants, particularly younger infants, will exhibit fever. Other common systemic symptoms of swine flu include headache and muscle pain, which may manifest as fussiness and irritability in infants.
Respiratory Symptoms
Swine flu produces upper respiratory symptoms, including sore throat, congestion and runny nose, and lower respiratory symptoms, such as cough and difficulty breathing. According to an article in the "Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infections," after fever, cough was the most common symptom of swine flu, present in 92 percent of cases. Although cough, congestion and runny nose present the same way in infants as they do in adults, other symptoms may be more difficult to detect. Fussiness and refusal to eat or drink may be signs of sore throat. Infants who are difficult to rouse and who exhibit labored breathing, very fast or very slow breathing and bluish color at the lips or fingernails should be taken to the emergency room immediately, as these can be signs of pneumonia and impending respiratory failure.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
According to a report in the "New England Journal of Medicine," nearly 40 percent of people with swine flu have symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting or both. In infants, the CDC notes that this figure may be even higher. However the diarrhea and vomiting may be difficult to identify since infant stools are usually much softer than adult stools at baseline and most infants also "spit up" regularly. Frequent stools or stools that differ in color or consistency from the infant's baseline may represent diarrhea. Spitting up more frequently, spit up that is green or brown and refusal to eat or drink are all signs that something is amiss. Dehydration develops quickly in infants, so diapers need to be carefully monitored for signs of decreased urine output or abnormally concentrated urine.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- "Clinical Microbiology and Infections: Dynamics of Clinical Symptoms in a Case with Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1)"; C.S. Lee and J. H. Lee; November 13, 2009
- "New England Journal of Medicine: Emergence of a Novel Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Virus in Humans"; Novel Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Investigation Team; June 18, 2009
