Worrying about our kids is normal. New research has found that catching the swine flu as soon as possible decreases the severity so it’s important to seek help if you think you or your child may be infected. Still, you don’t want to rush to the doctor just because your child sneezes. How do you know if a runny nose and cough could be a sign of the H1D1 virus?

The symptoms of the swine flu are similar to the regular flu. The include: fever, headache, body aches, sore throat, nasal stuffiness, cough and respiratory illness. What is different is the swine flu may also cause diarrhea or vomiting in children.

Basically if your child is listless and has a fever you should take them to the doctor. If your physician is concerned, a lab test can confirm whether they have contracted the H1D1 (swine) virus.

Children usually recover quickly from illnesses so if they are getting worse rather than better you should book another trip to the doctor.

In an attempt to halt the rapidly diminishing demand for pork, the swine flu has been renamed–2009 H1N1. (Can anyone really see that catching on?)

But regardless of the name, if you’re like me you can’t help but watch the spread. Personally, I want to be the first to know if it’s popping up anywhere near my child’s preschool.

Currently there are 8 confirmed cases in the GTA - none in my home city of Toronto just yet. And the US has just confirmed their first 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) related death - a 23-month-old in Texas.

The best place we’ve found for worldwide updates is: http://healthmap.org/en

The map highlights the spread and you can click individual icons for related links in your area.