El Paso First Health Plans | About Your Health | Fall 2017

family health D on’t panic if your child has the flu. Here is some important information to know for the upcoming flu season from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): ■  ■ Most children will get better without needing to go to the doctor. Other children may have more severe illness from the flu. ■  ■ A child of any age with severe signs of the flu should go to the doctor. ■  ■ If a child of any age has a long- term health condition, like asthma or diabetes, and develops flu-like symptoms, they are at risk for serious Emergency warning signs of the flu EL PASO HEALTH IS HERE TO HELP! Members have 24-hour, 7-days-a-week access to FIRSTCALL, a bilingual medical advice infoline staffed by nurses, pharmacists, and a Medical Director on call. STAR members call 1-844-549-2826 and CHIP members 1-844-549-2827 . In infants In children In adults Being unable to eat Fast breathing or trouble breathing Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath Trouble breathing Bluish skin color Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen No tears when crying Not drinking enough fluids Sudden dizziness Significantly fewer wet diapers than normal Not waking up or not interacting Confusion Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held Severe or persistent vomiting Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough Fever with a rash Flu season complications from the flu. ■  ■ Antiviral drugs (not antibiotics) work best when started within the first 2 days (48 hours) of getting sick. ■  ■ A fever is a temperature greater than or equal to 100°F. If your child feels warmer than normal, has a flushed appearance, is sweating, or is shivering, your child may have a fever. ■  ■ There are approved over-the- counter medicines that can be used to reduce fever and help make your child feel better. Call your doctor to make sure these medicines are okay for your child. 2