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.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently raised the Swine flu pandemic threat from phase 4 to phase 5 (on a scale of 1-6). This is the first time in history a phase 5 level has been given.

With the WHO Director General Dr. General Margaret Chan making statements like: “The whole of humanity is under threat in a pandemic.” And Spain confirming the first case of swine flu in a person who had not recently traveled to Mexico, it’s hard not to get a little concerned.

Upon writing this 10 countries have confirmed Swine Flu outbreaks: Mexico, US, Canada, Germany, Austria, Spain, UK, Israel, New Zealand and Peru.

So what exactly is a phase five pandemic?

Phases 1-3: Predominantly animal infections: few human infections

Phase 4: Sustained human to human transmission

Phases 5-6/Pandemic: Widespread human infection

The current Phase 5 designation is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. The declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.

WHO official Keiji Fukuda said countries other than Mexico need to consider social distancing measures such as closing schools and delaying public meetings. Since then, 74 schools in the US have closed. What are your thoughts on the situation?

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.

If your kids are like mine they get sick–a lot. I’m convinced my toddler’s preschool is a petri dish for all things contagious. So when the European Union health commissioner advised Europeans against traveling to U.S. or Mexico due to the recent Swine Flu outbreak it made me a little nervous (I’m sure Canada will be next on the EU Health Hit list. After all we have 6 confirmed cases).

Knowledge is the past way to fight off unwarranted fear so here are the facts for parents:

What is the swine flu?

A highly contagious acute respiratory disease normally found in pigs. Swine flu is usually spread through contact with pigs, but some limited cases of human-to-human contact have been reported.

Could there be a pandemic?

Experts say there is cause for concern but not alarm. (Even though the death toll in Mexico has reached 152 and officials have shut every school in the country.) Health officials worry the swine flu virus will combine with a human flu virus or mutate on its own to become easily transmissible. As the virus circulates, it becomes more likely a pandemic strain will emerge, but there is no way to predict when, and if, this will happen.

What can parents do?

Listen to regular updates and practice good hygiene. Wash your hands, and your child’s hands, frequently and stay at home if you feel ill. As for diet, it’s safe to eat pork. The swine flu virus dies when cooked to temperatures of 158 F (70C) or higher.