Influenza: How to Protect Your Child This Flu Season
What is influenza or "the flu"? How is it spread? When does "flu season" start?
- Influenza is a virus that infects the respiratory tract (nose/throat/lungs) that kills 36,000 people per year and hospitalizes 200,000 in the US alone
- It is spread when a person sneezes and the saliva floats through the air and settles on another person’s face/nose/mouth (even from 3 feet away!)
- In the US, flu season extends from November to March.
What are the symptoms do we need to look out for to know if a child has the flu? How can you tell the difference between a "regular cold" and the flu?
- Both the flu and a normal cold have a cough, runny nose, and congestion, but the
- flu usually has a higher fever, body aches, extreme fatigue and a harsher cough
- The flu can result in very serious secondary infections like pneumonia whereas most colds do not
What are the complications associated with the flu and how serious are they? Who is considered highest risk for complications from an influenza infection?
- Bronchitis, ear infection, pneumonia, sinus infection
- Children with serious health problems like heart conditions, diabetes, or asthma are at highest risk; Very young children/infants are also at great risk
How can we prevent children getting the flu (especially if the attend school or daycare) and spreading it?
- FLU SHOT, FLU SHOT, FLU SHOT!!!!!
- Good hand washing! Use large amounts of hand sanitizing gel this winter
- Teach children not to constantly touch their face/nose
- Keep children home when they are sick to prevent spreading illness to others
- Encourage children to cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing
Should we get our children vaccinated? At what age should a child be vaccinated? If so, when should we get our children vaccinated? **Are there going to be shortages of vaccine this year??
- Yes! The CDC recommends flu shots
- Children can be vaccinated starting at age 6 months
- There are not supposed to be shortages this year, however, there are some supply/distribution problems in North Texas
If my child gets the flu, what should I do? How long are they contagious?
- Treatment of the flu consists of several facets:
- First, call your doctor right away if your child has high fevers (especially over 103);
- Your child may need an exam and possibly a test by your doctor to determine if they have the flu and if flu medicine is right for them
- Rest is still essential
- Give as much fluid as possible
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be useful; NO ASPIRIN
- Encourage older children not to smoke or drink when fighting the flu
- Children are contagious 1 day before they have symptoms and for approximately 5 days after starting to see symptoms
What are influenza antiviral medications? How are antiviral medications used for flu?
- There are several types of flu medications; Your doctor will help determine which one is right for you
- Some names you may see are oseltamivir or zanamavir
- These medications are all obtained by prescription and need to be taken for 5 days to treat flu symptoms
- These medicines must be started within 48 hours of symptoms for them to be effective; If taken after this time, they are not effective
Best Wishes in Your Family's Fight Against the Flu this Year!
For more info: www.cdc.gov