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Read Dr. Elena Krasnov's Weekly Column in the Health & Fitness section of the 24 Hours Magazine. Look for new articles every week!

Monday, October 19, 2009

Protecting your Baby from H1N1

Q: Dear Elena:

I recently read your article about helping to naturally protect yourself from H1N1 this flu season. I have a 4 month old and I am concerned about her health due to the fact that they will not vaccinate babies under 6 months.

What do you recommend?

A: As a parent, you are wise to be aware of the ways to prevent the spread of the H1N1 to your baby. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that there have already been more child deaths in the U.S as a result of the H1N1 virus than an entire regular flu season.

Young children may have difficulty breathing and low activity, but few other symptoms. There is little is known about how H1N affects children. However, the infection may be similar to other flu infections. Typically, common seasonal flu infections cause mild cases in children, however parents should always pay special attention to children under 5 years of age, because they are more likely to become seriously ill than older children.

For an infant such as yours, the best way to prevent infection in my opinion is to keep her away from crowded spaces where she may potentially come in contact with somebody who is sick. Don’t take her to shopping malls or stores at all. If you are breastfeeding continue to do so for as long as possible. Breast milk contains a large amount of antibodies, which help keep infants healthy and helps prevent illness. You yourself can take homeopathic flu prevention protocol as described in my previous article and the immunity will transfer through breast milk to your daughter. If she is not breast fed, you can try dissolving a homeopathic preparation called Citomix or Thymulin in some water and give it to your baby in some sterilized water every few days. I believe it would be effective in the event she comes in contact with somebody who is sick. However, very small children have under developed immune systems and immunization tends to be difficult.

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Dr. Elena Krasnov is a registered Naturopathic Doctor and Clinic Director of the Toronto Naturopathic Clinic. Submit your questions online at 24hrs.ca

Co-written by Miranda Tallon-Malisani Holistic Nutritionist