Swine Flu Update: Seems Comforting So Far

Pediatrician Dr. Gillin answered our questions on updates for the day, precautions she’s taking as a mother herself, if she agrees that this virus is mild after all (yes, so far), why such a big deal was made in the press over this particular virus and more.

Breezy Mama Rexene asked: My 10 year old son has Type 1 Diabetes and Asthma. If my son gets sick with flu like symptoms, should I bring him to the ER?

I would call your Pediatrician. If his sugars are good, he should be able to be seen at the office instead of the ER.

Does anti-bacteria soap kill good bacteria? Should it only be used as a back-up if there’s nothing else available or do you recommend using it along with soap and water?

No, it does not kill anything good.

Most people think that soap and hand sanitizers are pretty equal. I prefer soap and water (for a good 1-2 minutes) if I can.

Also, I heard that you should wash your child’s hands for the duration of two happy birthday songs – do you agree?

Yes, the longer the better (up to a point- we all know they could play in the sink the entire day.)

As a mother yourself, are there any special precautions you are taking?

I am always pretty careful. Whether it be the H1N1 flu, or the seasonal flu, or anything else, I do not really have time to be sick- as most moms do not.

I wash my hands, and my son’s as soon as we come home, before we eat, and hand sanitize after being around other people. Right now I am trying not to be around sick people- but he is still going to school.

I hand sanitize after using keypads at the store- probably a bit more right now.

I am not wearing a mask- at work, or elsewhere.

The Los Angeles Times posted that “Scientists see this flu strain as relatively mild.” Do you have an opinion on that?

That is what I have seen in the office. I have seen children with the “flu”- but not much more. I am waiting to see what happens, but it seems comforting so far.

If so many people die on average during flu season every year, why does this particular strain of flu have everyone so concerned and why is it all over the press?

This is because we are well overdue for a flu pandemic. The last one was 1918 (which killed hundreds of thousands of people), and we should have had another one by now. So, the medical community, and the government, and the CDC have been preparing for a deadly large spread pandemic. They reacted quickly, and luckily the number of people affected was controlled.

I personally do not think that it was an “over-reaction”. I think that it was a safe, prepared plan. It is very nice to know that should a deadly pandemic occur, we will be hopefully more protected than 1918.

As for the average flu season, it is also concerning to us as physicians. We encourage annual flu vaccines so that people are protected from the flu virus. Hopefully this recent infection will remind people to get that annual flu vaccine- just becasue it is not tracked closely on the news doesn’t mean that the influenza virus isn’t there every year.

Any new updates for the day?

This has been an interesting, and so far fortunate week. We went from testing all patients, and treating all patients to now not testing, and not treating. It appears that this virus for now will probably be a self-limiting flu virus for most affected.

However, the next virus could appear at any time. I would encourage people to continue to use that good common sense. Wash hands, and please stay home if you are sick (within the last 24 hours).

We will have to see what happens in the 2009/2010 flu season.

The major drama has decreased. It really seems as if the panic, and fear are gone. There is still caution, but so far so good.

Shakha Gillin, M.D., F.A.A.P. attended UCSD for her undergraduate education and medical school (and if she looks familiar that’s because she’s the twin sister of Breezy go-to dermatoligist Dr. Vi). She practiced pediatrics in La Jolla for 5 years before joining El Camino Pediatrics. She has also worked in private practice in Newport Beach and in the Rady Children’s Hospital Emergency Department. Dr. Shakha Gillin has a special interest in preventative care, particularly healthy and active lifestyles for children. She was recognized by San Diego Magazine as a “Top Doctor” in 2006, 2007 and 2008. She also organizes the North County Pediatric Journal Club, a bimonthly meeting where local pediatricians discuss the latest pediatric medical topics.

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