Helping Teens Cope with the H1N1 Flu Virus

The H1N1 flu virus can be upsetting for teens, especially if one of their friends or family members is sick or they being upset by information from television or the internet. It is normal for teens to feel worried or nervous. Teens are already dealing with the physical, social and emotional changes of adolescence. Disease outbreaks can undermine their belief that the world is a safe place and their sense that adults can protect them. How you handle the situation will affect how your teen will handle it.

It is important to know that our research indicates that only 35% of Canadians will become ill with the H1N1 flu. The overwhelming majority of people who do become ill recover fairly quickly.

Some Reactions to Expect

In general, teens are resilient but they often do react to stressful events.

 

Some common reactions can include:
Being excessively afraid of catching the H1N1 flu virus Being afraid of being isolated or separated from family members Worries, fears and anxiety about the health of family members or friends Appearing withdrawn or isolated	Difficulty concentrating or paying attention Problems sleeping (either too much or too little) or problems eating (either too much or not enough) Increase in disruptive behaviours or increased crying, sadness or depressed feelings

Many of these behaviours, including a certain amount of moodiness, are normal features of adolescence. You should pay attention to behaviours that are new or disruptive.

How You Can Help

• Honest Reassurance. Offer reassurance based on the real steps that are being taken to address the situation in Canada. Try to explain the events as well as you can. The Public Health Agency of Canada’s fightflu.ca Web site has a lot of helpful information about the H1N1 flu virus and the H1N1 flu vaccine.
• Listen patiently to what teens have to say about the flu and how they perceive it. Help them distinguish opinion from fact. Let them ask questions. Try not to lecture or interrupt them.
• Comforting or helping friends. If teens have friends who have the H1N1 flu virus, help them find ways to support their friends, for example helping them stay on top of school work.
• Media Coverage. Media coverage can intensify fear and worry and distort perception. Talk to your teen about what they are seeing and hearing in the news or reading online.

Focus On What They Can Do To Stay Healthy

Parents, family members and adults are role models. Let teens and other family members know what they can do to stay healthy and practice those behaviours yourself.

• Hand Washing: Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cough/Sneeze Etiquette: Cough and sneeze into your arm or into a tissue.
• Get the Vaccine: All teens should consider getting the H1N1 flu vaccine. Explain to your teen that the risks to their health from the flu are greater than the most common side effects of the vaccine (sore arm, sore eyes, itchiness and a mild fever) or the possible risk of a serious reaction to the H1N1 flu vaccine.
• Stay Home When Sick: Stay home from school if sick. Do not return until symptom-free.
• Keep Clean: Keep hands away from faces and keep common surfaces and items clean.
• Stay Healthy: Stay healthy by eating healthy foods, keeping physically active, getting enough sleep and feeling happy and loved.

If Your Teen Gets the H1N1 Flu

If your teen gets the H1N1 flu they will need additional support and reassurance. In addition to the information above, you’ll need to explain:

• The importance of protecting friends, brothers and sisters by not going near or hanging out with them. Explain to them that this will keep their family and their friends healthy. Encourage your teen to stay in touch with their friends through social media, texting messaging, phoning or emailing.
• The length of the illness. The average H1N1 flu lasts five to seven days.
• The importance of getting a lot of rest, drinking a lot of fluids and eating well.
• The importance of letting a parent or caregiver know if they are feeling worse or feeling better.

If Teens are Babysitting a Child with Flu Symptoms

If your teen is babysitting a child and the child comes down with flu symptoms they should contact the children’s parent as soon as possible. They should also make sure that the child rests and gets plenty of fluids to drink.

For more information about coping with stressful situations, visit the Canadian Psychological Association’s online resource centre, check with your municipal/local public health unit or provincial/territorial government or talk to your health care provider.