We believe it is important to pass on to you some specific information about Swine Flu in children with congenital or acquired heart problems. The virus can spread quickly through the community and it is important that you know what to do in the event that you suspect your child may have developed the infection or been exposed to someone with it..
Background
Swine Flu is a new strain of Influenza A (H1N1). It has now spread to more than 100 countries around the world.
The most common symptoms are a fever of more than 38˚C) and two or more of the following:
- sudden cough and/or runny nose
- sore throat
- headache
- muscle aches and pains
- feeling very tired and listless with loss of appetite
- diarrhoea or vomiting
In general, the symptoms have proved mild but a small number of people have developed more serious illness.
Although most children with a congenital or acquired heart problem don’t need special treatment, children under five years of age may be at more risk of developing serious illness as a result of Swine Flu. Older children who are on regular medications for their heart condition could also be at higher risk, so it is very important that you seek advice and treatment urgently if you think your child has developed Swine Flu.
As you will have heard, there is a medication called Tamiflu, which may reduce the impact of the infection and should be taken within 48 hours of symptoms starting.
Tamiflu can also be taken to reduce a child’s risk of developing Swine Flu if they have been in close contact with someone who is already infected.
A vaccine will soon be available and once this happens it is likely that children with chronic health problems will be given priority for vaccination.
What should I do if my child has these symptoms?
You must contact your GP urgently and tell them:
(a) that your child has symptoms of possible Swine Flu, or has been in close contact with someone who is infected with Swine Flu, and
(b) that your child also has a heart condition. Please try and give your GP many details of the condition and its treatment as you can.
Your child will not need to be tested for Swine Flu. Instead, you will simply be advised to give your child Tamiflu. You will be given full information by your GP about the right dosage for your child.
To avoid further spread of Swine Flu you will be asked to arrange for a family member or friend i.e. “a flu friend” to collect the Tamiflu prescription from your nearest Antiviral Collection Point.
Children who are well enough should be looked after at home, with support from your GP.
- If your child is currently unwell with their heart condition, particularly if they are receiving on-going treatment, he or she can have an urgent medical review. Please note that this review is not for children who are on long-term preventative medication, such as anti arrhythmia drugs or anticoagulants.
After the review, your child will then receive appropriate treatment for their heart condition, or they may be admitted to hospital.
Bringing your child in to hospital
If your child has the symptoms of Swine Flu and you to bring them to either Royal Brompton Hospital or Harefield Hospital, we will ask you to come to a separate room at a specific time.
This area may not be ward bay. It may be a separate room off the ward.
This measure is needed to make sure that the infection is not spread to other patients.
We will then assess your child and make a decision about treatment and whether they need to be admitted to hospital.
If you are in any doubt about your child’s care, you can contact the cardiac specialist liaison nursing team which is based at Royal Brompton Hospital. Their contact details are below.
What if my child is on the active waiting list for a cardiac procedure?
You should also contact the Paediatric Cardiology Co-ordinator based at Royal Brompton Hospital. The procedure may need to be postponed until your child has fully recovered, The Cardiology Co-ordinator will be able to advise you.
Contacting the paediatric cardiology team at Royal Brompton Hospital
Even if your child is a patient at Harefield Hospital, please contact the paediatric cardiology team at Royal Brompton Hospital for advice and information.
During working hours (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) you should ring the Royal Brompton switchboard on 0207 352 8121 and ask for the operator. You can ask the operator to ‘bleep’ a member of the team for you. This alerts a team member that you wish to speak to them. Call switchboard and give the operator the bleep number you require. A member of the team will then call you back as soon as they can.
The bleep numbers are as follows:
Cardiac Specialist Liaison Nursing team - bleep 1276
Paediatric Cardiology Co-ordinator - bleep 1234
The on-call Paediatric Cardiac Registrar doctor - bleep 1233
Royal Brompton paediatric cardiology team
