Extension News: April 2009 Archives

Get them talking, offer reassurance

With a constant barrage of media attention currently being focused on the new flu outbreak, children may become frightened or extremely worried about catching the virus.

When children talk to one another, they may receive misinformation, and peers can magnify their fears. Without a bit of guidance from adults, it's easy for kids to feel panicked.

While it's too early to know how serious this outbreak could become or how long it might last, it is important to help the kids in your life keep it in perspective and to keep yourself both calm and informed.

Open a conversation

The first and most important step is to start a conversation with your child by asking if he or she has heard about illness, and how they are feeling about it.

When talking with younger children, help them separate fantasy from reality. Hearing that this is a disease called "swine" flu can easily charge their imaginations. Let them know that although it is called "swine flu," it's a people illness--a new form of the flu.

Reassure your child

Be as specific as need be, reassuring them that people can't get the illness from eating pork, and that the disease doesn't really have much to do with pigs.

Tell them that if they do get sick with this flu, they can get medicine to help them get better and people will take care of them until they do.

Talk about prevention

Let them know that flu can be spread by sick people who cough or sneeze. Teach them what they can do to help them keep from getting sick: washing their hands often and thoroughly, covering their coughs or sneezes (into a tissue or into their sleeve) washing their hands well, and letting adults know if they aren't feeling good.

In addition, this is a good time to talk to your child about the importance of getting plenty of rest, lots of exercise, eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water.

Put things in perspective

It's also important to help older children keep the disease in perspective. Although some small outbreaks have been reported in schools, most of the cases associated with those outbreaks to date have been mild.

In addition, most of the schools and child care centers that have been closed around the country have been closed as precautionary measures, based on a single or few cases and not because of widespread outbreaks. Almost all of the people who have contracted the disease have recovered.

Signs of illness

Signs of the disease to watch for in children include: fever, sore throat, body and head aches, persistent cough, chills and fatigue. Remember, if your child has any symptoms of influenza, keep her/him home from child care or school, and call a health-care professional.

Meanwhile, talk to your child's school or child-care personnel about their plans for dealing with an outbreak in or near their community.

During this outbreak, it's important to keep yourself informed, but also to limit the amount of time the TV and radio are on in your house while children are tuning in.

For the best and most up-to-date information, check in periodically with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Extension Disaster Education Network's Swine Flu page.

by Dr. Malcolm Smith, Family Education and Family Policy Specialist for UNH Cooperative Extension. He can be reached by email at: Malcolm.smith@unh.edu

A new influenza ("flu") virus first detected in people in the United States in April 2009 spread rapidly from person-to-person worldwide. By June 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that a pandemic (sustained global outbreak) of the new H1N1 flu was underway.

A second wave of H1N1 cases has hit the U.S. this fall, with most states, including New Hampshire, reporting widespread incidence.

Infection, symptoms of H1N1 flu

Health officials say flu viruses spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing. People may also become infected by touching a surface or object with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouths or noses.

The symptoms of the new H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

People infected with flu may be able to infect others for a day or more before feeling sick, and for a week or more after coming down with symptoms.

While most people who have gotten sick from H1N1 recover without medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred.

According to state health officials, serious H1N1 cases will likely increase as the flu season progresses.

Risk factors

The pattern of infection from the new flu differs from that of the "seasonal flu" strains that come around every fall and winter. The new H1N1 flu is more likely to infect and cause serious complications in people younger than 25 years of age than older people.

So far, few adults older than 64 have come down with H1N1 flu, and few older adults have suffered H1N1-related complications or deaths. About one-third of adults older than 60 may have antibodies against this virus. Laboratory studies confirm that children and adults younger than 60 years old don't have immunity to the new H1N1 flu virus.

People with one or more medical conditions--pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, kidney disease, and neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders--are at higher risk for serious flu-related complications.

H1N1 vaccine arriving in spurts

The federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) oversees distribution of H1N1 vaccines. The agency distributes vaccines to the states based solely on population. State health officials distribute H1N1 vaccine throughout the Granite State through hospitals and private medical providers.

CDC has established a priority list of people to receive the first-available doses of the H1N1 vaccine. First in line: pregnant women, young children at risk for flu complications because of underlying health problems such as asthma and immune-suppressing conditions, and health-care providers who care for patients.

"Mass-event" clinics forecast for late November

The second-round vaccine supply will be available to all children, adults who care for young children, adults and college-aged young people with underlying risk factors.

State Public Health Director Dr. Jose Montero says that sometime around Thanksgiving, the state should have enough H1N1 vaccine to begin holding "mass-event" clinics in schools and other community settings.

Seasonal flu vaccine: supply may not stretch to cover everyone who wants it

Montero says increased public awareness has resulted in an unprecedented demand for the seasonal influenza vaccine, forcing postponement and cancellation of some clinics and leaving some private health providers short.

Unlike distribution of the the H1N1 vaccine, controlled by the CDC, hospitals, clinics and other providers order supplies of seasonal vaccine directly from the manufacturers.

"Supplies of seasonal flu vaccine will keep arriving throughout November into December," Montero says, urging people seeking vaccination to "try to connect with your private provider" or a local site (pharmacy, malls, visiting nurse associations) that typically offer seasonal vaccines.

Consumers could also try checking the Web site or calling the statewide 211 help line for information on availability of either seasonal or H1N1 vaccine.

Ultimately, Montero says, there may not be enough seasonal vaccine for everyone who wants to be vaccinated.

Prevention: the first line of defense

Health officials urge people to take simple precautions to prevent getting the flu. These include staying home from work if you feel sick and keeping sick children home from school.

As part of your pandemic planning, officials recommend familiarizing yourself with the pandemic plans at your children's school(s) and your own workplace.

No danger from pork products

Despite the name sometimes used for the novel flu virus, "swine flu" (the H1N1 virus contains genetic material from pig, bird, and human influenza strains), you can't catch H1N1 influenza from handling or eating pork.

Of course, it's always important to handle and cook pork properly. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F kills microorganisms that can cause foodborne illness.

For more information

N.H. Department of Health and Human Services H5N1 information Links to N.H.-specific and other information resources.

What is pandemic influenza? Learn about the history and characteristics of pandemic flu.

Pandemic Information Official federal government pandemic influenza Information.

Differences between seasonal flu and pandemic flu Learn the important differences between the "new" pandemic influenza strain and the "seasonal" flu that comes around every winter.

Simple things you can do to protect yourself and your family Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's basic guidance on preventing both season and pandemic influenza.

Official guidance for individuals and families Information and planning checklists useful for pandemic planning from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Stockpiling essentials for a pandemic Planning for an extended stay at home, in case of essential-services disruptions, when store supplies might become short, or during periods of voluntary "social distancing" as a flu-prevention strategy.

What to do if you get flu symptoms Learn how to take care of yourself if you come down with the flu.

Special guidance for pregnant women Because pregnant women are more susceptible to regular flu than others, officials urge them to take special precautions to prevent contracting the new H1N1 flu. Experts don't know if pregnant women will have serious problems with H1N1 or how the new virus might affect the baby.

H1N1 guidance for specific groups CDC guidance for vulnerable or at-risk populations, teachers, caregivers, clinicians and others.

Talk to your children about the new flu The barrage of media attention on the new H1N1 flu is bound to increase as flu season approaches. Children may receive misinformation, and peers can magnify their fears. They need special reassurance from adults.

Caring for a sick person in your home Familiarize yourself with this information before you need it.

H1N1 vaccination program Federal plans for an H1N1 vaccination program to begin this fall and winter. We'll post information about New Hampshire vaccination-distribution plans as soon as they become available.

Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy The Pandemic Influenza pages of this University of Minnesota center help you stay current on the latest science-based news and information about pandemic influenza.

Personal Pandemic Preparedness Resource List Excellent list of science-based sources of flu preparedness information.

State of New Hampshire Pandemic Plan Official state plan for managing infectious diseases that become global pandemics.

Prices on wood fuel and woodstoves are lower; products more available

With warmer weather upon us, it's hard to think about the coming winter's wood supply. Yet this is the best time to buy firewood or wood pellets for the next year's heating season.

Both firewood and wood pellets are more available now, the prices are better, and green firewood will have time to dry for burning this winter.

As prices for home heating oil approached $5 per gallon last summer, homeowners turned to local wood as an alternative fuel source. The resulting panic buying caused shortages and high prices in both the wood-pellet and firewood markets.

Increased production, lower oil prices = better deals on firewood
To meet this new demand, many firewood producers and pellet manufacturers increased production. And now that home heating oil prices have settled down, interest in wood has waned.

Both wood dealers and wood stove shop operators experienced a decrease in business as soon as fuel oil prices dropped below $3.00 per gallon.

The result: a larger supply of wood, pellets, and the stoves that burn them. If you're in the market, now's the time to buy!

By Sarah Smith, UNH Cooperative Extension forest industry specialist

Learn more
Buying and Storing Firewood

Against a backdrop of recent news reports citing an increase in child abuse, more than 200 pediatric nurses, family-support professionals, child care providers, social workers and home visitors attended two Oh Baby! trainings held in Manchester and Portsmouth in the past month. A third training, scheduled for May 21 at Plymouth State University, is filling fast.

Designed by UNH Cooperative Extension Parenting and Child Development team members, the program helps participants use Extension's popular child-development newsletters, Cradle Crier and Toddler Tales, as part of an ongoing effort to educate New Hampshire parents and reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect in New Hampshire.

The programs featured Dr. John Hornstein, a former UNH professor and a consultant to Harvard Medical School, who presented, "Culture, the Brain, and the Wisdom of the Young." Hornstein gave participants an update on current brain research with infants and toddlers and new methodology for educating young parents. Other highlights included presentations by Sarah Leonard, infant and toddler teacher at UNH's Child Study and Development Center, and Extension Specialist Dr. Malcolm Smith.

The Manchester training was co-sponsored by Early Learning New Hampshire and hosted by the Family Education Collaborative at the Manchester YWCA. The Portsmouth Community Campus hosted the Portsmouth event, which was co-sponsored by Families First, a parent resource and education center.

Learn more about the Oh Baby! programs and register for the Plymouth State training.

Explore UNH Cooperative Extension's Families & Parenting pages

Policy analysts and researchers from UNH Cooperative Extension, the UNH Department of Family Studies, and the Whittemore School of Business and Economics have completed a comprehensive review of the state's Child Support Guidelines and made recommendations to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Support Services.

"Even though the current guidelines have been working fairly well for many people, with the rapidly changing economic climate and measurable changes in the patterns of parents involved in child support, it was time to revisit the guidelines," said project leader and Extension Family Life and Policy Specialist Dr. Malcolm Smith.

State and federal laws require the Department to conduct a review of Child Support Guidelines every four years.

Information collected from many publics
Over the past year, the team held public forums in Manchester, Keene, Portsmouth and Littleton and solicited input from people who pay and people who receive child support, other interested parties, and a variety of key stakeholders.

"One of the strengths of this process was the well-rounded approach taken by the review team," said Smith. "This review will be used internally by the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Support Services (DHHS DCSS) and will be reviewed by the N.H. Legislature for possible implementation in the next session."

"The most important feature of our evaluation," said Dr. Reagan Baughman, an economist from the UNH Whittemore School of Business and Economics, "was that we listened carefully to all parties affected by child support and developed recommendations that balanced the concerns of payors, payees and their children."

Recommendations move on to state legislature for action
According to Dr. Michael Kalinowski of the UNH Department of Family Studies, "This final report makes several recommendations, each of which we believe will provide some improvement to the child support formula and practice, and which together form a balanced and integrated package."

"We are very pleased to present this study to the N.H. Legislature," said Mary Weatherill, who directs the DCSS. "Not only because it meets federal and state requirements, but more importantly because it provides an unbiased, reliable economic analysis."

Read the complete 2009 NH Child Support Guidelines Review and Recommendations Report or the brief summary of recommendations.