What Can You Do To Avoid The Flu This Season?

The timing of flu season tends to fluctuate greatly throughout the year but its peak season usually lands in January making vaccination a must if you haven’t already done so.

During the peak season it’s important to keep an eye out for the disease’s symptoms. The flu can start suddenly and its symptoms can include: a high fever, headache, tiredness, coughing, a sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, diarrhea and vomiting. It’s important to remember that many of these signs are characteristic of a series of other illnesses and a doctor’s exam may be necessary to confirm that you have the virus.

The flu is generally an airborne illness but it is possible to contract it by touching a surface infected with the virus and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes. Therefore if you want to keep your kids flu free it’s important to maintain a clean environment. Cover your mouth every time you sneeze, hands must be cleaned often, and avoid touching of the face. If your child still gets sick it’s important that you consult a doctor and that they get plenty of rest as well as fluids.

The influenza virus is more dangerous to children than to adults. According to the CDC, every year an average of 20,000 children under the age of five are hospitalized because of influenza complications. A number of children even die from the flu each year. During the 2007-08 flu season, the CDC received reports that 86 children died from influenza-related complications; for this reason yearly vaccinations should be made on children as soon as vaccines are made available.

Two types of vaccination exist to treat the virus. It can be administered through a shot, which is approved for children over six months old; or it can be administered through a nasal spray. The spray is made with a weakened strain of the virus that does not cause the flu and is approved for healthy individuals between two and 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

Of course some children are at greater risk than others. Children younger than six months are too young to receive the vaccine therefore it’s important that both family members and other caregivers are vaccinated. Kids that fall in the category between six months and five years, because of their age, are also susceptible therefore yearly vaccines are a must. Special care must also be given to children six months and older that have a pre-existing chronic condition which could be aggravated by the virus.

Apart from the general symptoms of the illness certain red flags exist in children which indicate the need for immediate medical attention. These symptoms consist of: fast or troubled breathing, bluish skin color, a refusal to drink, not waking up or interacting, irritability and refusal to be held, flu like symptoms as well as a fever with a rash. If your child presents these signs seek a doctor’s consult.

By: Alberto Ramos Cordero