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W
hile the winter months bring holi- days, joy and excitement, they also
bring flu season. Contrary to popular belief, influenza is
a serious illness that causes an average of 20,000 children to be hospitalized each year. Alarmingly, some kids die from the flu annually. In fact, in 2015 there were 87 influenza-related deaths and, in previous years, the death rate was even higher. Though many people are not hospitalized with the flu, it can lead to several missed days of school and work. Symptoms include a high fever (104-
105°F), cough, sore throat, body aches and fatigue. There are secondary illnesses that can occur as a result of influenza — including ear infections, pneumonia and dehydration. Additionally, those with chronic medical conditions such as asthma and diabetes may have worsening symptoms. Everyone is at risk for contracting influ-
enza, especially children younger than 2, adults 65 years or older, pregnant women and those with certain medical condi- tions. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. Because of these risks, it is imperative that you and your kids receive the influenza vaccination every year. According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), “An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get the seasonal flu and spread it to others. When more people get vaccinated, less flu can spread through that community.” In addi- tion, the influenza vaccine minimizes the amount of provider visits, reduces days missed at work and school and prevents flu-related hospitalizations. The CDC recommends that all children
Ready, Set, Grow
and teens from the ages of 6 months through 18 years of age get a flu vaccine every fall or winter. The flu vaccine can be administered
yearly, starting at six months of age. If your child is younger than nine years old and receiving the flu vaccine for the first time, two shots spaced at least four weeks apart will be required. Once your child has re- ceived the two-dose series, only one dose yearly will be needed. Kids nine years old or older will only need one dose regard- less of previous influenza vaccine history. Children younger than six months, those with a history of Guillain-Barre Syn- drome and those with an allergy to eggs should not receive the flu vaccine. Individ- uals, especially family members, should get immunized to protect themselves from contracting the flu and spreading it to those unable to be immunized. While the flu vaccine prevents flu, antiviral drugs can help fight the flu by stopping the virus from reproducing in the body. The Ameri- can Academy of Pediatrics recommends that antiviral medications be administered to children with confirmed influenza who are at risk for flu-related complications. The flu vaccination should be received
in early October. This is because it takes about two weeks for the antibodies that protect against the influenza virus to de- velop in the body. It’s best that people get vaccinated before flu season begins so they are protected before the virus starts to spread within their community. How- ever, this vaccination is offered throughout the entire flu season and is still beneficial even when given later in the year. New influenza vaccines are created
yearly to cover the most common strain of influenza virus for the upcoming season, which means last year’s vaccine may not
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