NEA HEALTH INFORMATION NETWORK: Environmental Health

Environmental
Health
Helping Children Understand Anthrax

Since the terrorist
attacks on September 11th, children are now facing another complex
and frightening situation-anthrax cases. As our nation responds
to the cases of anthrax, many questions have arisen about the infection
and our country’s ability to cope with bioterrorism. In particular,
children and teens may be concerned about how this disease can affect
them. Older children may want to know more of the detailed factual
information. Younger children will be more concerned about general
issues regarding their personal safety and their family’s.

To respond to their questions and allay their fears, KidsHealth,
a project of The Nemours Foundation, suggests considering these
points when talking with children about anthrax:

• Anthrax is
  an infection caused by a bacterium (a germ) called Bacillus anthracis.

• Anthrax is
  not contagious, which means it can’t be spread from person to
  person. It is almost always successfully treated with antibiotics.

• Ask children
  what they’ve heard or seen on TV about anthrax. Encourage a dialogue
  so you can help them to better understand the information they
  are getting. Some details may be wrong or exaggerated, and you
  need to ‘set the record straight’ for them.

• Encourage
  children to express their emotions about what seems to be happening.
  Kids and teens may be experiencing feelings such as anger, sorrow,
  and fear, particularly after the events of September 11th.

• Assure kids
  that police and other agencies of the federal government (such
  as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the FBI)
  are investigating all anthrax cases and are taking measures to
  ensure public safety.

• Let children
  know that despite all the publicity, it is extremely unlikely
  that they, their family, or anyone they know will get anthrax.
  

For more information
on anthrax and how to talk to kids about it, visit: http://www.kidshealth.org/breaking_news/anthrax.html.

KidsHealth
also has several age-appropriate articles on anthrax for children
and teens. Go to:
http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/misc/anthrax.html

http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/misc/anthrax.html.

Other sources
for anthrax information include:

Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/

The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools
http://www.healthinschools.org/sh/envhealth.asp

For other Post
September 11th information, go to the National Education Association
Health Information Network’s website at https://www.neahin.org/september11/index.htm