What’s a Mom to Do about the Flu?

It’s that time of year again when the flu shot signs start popping up around town in doctor’s offices, pharmacies and even in some schools. For many moms, getting one for themselves and their children is routine every fall. Why wouldn’t you since it can reduce the severity or even prevent you from getting the flu?

Why Are Flu Shots Important?

FluMost people don’t need convincing, but some do. The fact is the flu can kill even healthy people, and children are very susceptible. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 150 children died during the 2014-2015 flu season in the U.S., 90 percent of whom had not been vaccinated. Of those deaths, most were eligible to receive the flu vaccine, and 40 percent had no underlying health problems to put them at higher risk for complications.

Babies under six months old are the most likely to develop secondary problems like pneumonia from influenza. However, since they’re not old enough to get the vaccine, it is that much more important for parents, siblings and other caregivers to get theirs so they can protect the baby from the virus by not catching it themselves.

“Vaccine against influenza is the best way to protect children and everyone else against severe illness and, in some cases, death that can result from influenza infection,” said Mobeen Rathore, MD, CPE, FAAP, PFIDS, FSHEA, FACPE, FIDSA, chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology at Wolfson Children’s Hospital and the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville. “Diagnosing influenza is not easy and it’s frequently diagnosed late, so as a result, anti-influenza medications are much less effective.”

Flu Facts

The influenza vaccine has been in use for decades, and millions of doses have been given worldwide. Side effects, if any, are rare and overwhelmingly minor, such as redness or soreness at the site of the injection, said Dr. Rathore. The vaccine cannot cause someone to get the flu.

In the United States, flu season hits around October and can last through May, peaking around late December to early January, but it’s not always easy to predict. Because of that uncertainty, it’s best to get the influenza vaccine as soon as it becomes available. Each year, the vaccine is prepared based on the best projection of the main virus that might be circulating, but even if the right one isn’t correctly identified, Dr. Rathore said having the antibodies can still afford some protection. For those getting their first flu shot, a booster shot four weeks later is required to make it more effective.

Suzanne Bilyeu, MD, a pediatric hospitalist with Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, Jacksonville, and Wolfson Children’s Hospital sees many children each year who require hospitalization due to complications of the virus. Dr. Bilyeu says parents need to be aware of the classic influenza signs that can initially be confused with a cold or other respiratory illness commonly referred to as the “flu.” There is no hallmark sign of influenza other than higher grade fevers and more severe symptoms so it is important to keep an eye out for worsening symptoms, especially in those children who are younger than a year old or with underlying medical conditions.

“The most common problems that lead to a hospitalization in patients with influenza are respiratory distress followed by dehydration, and then secondary bacterial infections like pneumonia,” said Dr. Bilyeu. “We particularly worry about young infants and children with asthma and other chronic illnesses or diseases.”

What Do You Do With the Flu?

FluHow does a parent know if their child needs medical intervention? Dr. Bilyeu asks parents to monitor their children for a few simple things. “First, look for signs of respiratory distress such as breathing rapidly or working hard to breathe. Second, monitor for signs of dehydration such as decreased urine output or lack of tears. Lastly, be concerned if your child appeared to be recovering, only to have a return of fever or worsening symptoms. That can be the sign of a secondary bacterial infection.”

If a parent sees any of those symptoms, your child should be seen by his or her primary care provider or taken to the ER, depending on the severity of the symptoms. As far as anti-viral medications like Tamiflu go, not all children need it. In healthy kids, the flu runs its course so it’s not necessary to prescribe it and, in fact, it can cause nausea that sometimes can make kids feel worse.

Children with asthma, neuromuscular disorders like cerebral palsy and young infants are the ones who benefit the most from it. Parents should discuss the pros and cons with their child’s doctor. Dr. Rathore adds, “Anti-influenza medications work best when used in the first 48 hours after the onset of illness.”

Dr. Bilyeu’s top five suggestions for the flu:

  • Get the flu shot! – Get it as soon as it comes out because it takes a few weeks for your child’s body to develop those antibodies. The shot will protect your child for the entire season, no matter how early he or she gets it.
  • Be aggressive with treating fevers – For older children, ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be given to decrease the fevers. Ibuprofen can be given every six hours and acetaminophen can be added in as needed for breakthrough fevers. Alternating them can become confusing, especially if multiple family members are ill, and that can lead to medication errors. In children less than six months old, only use acetaminophen and NEVER give aspirin because it can cause a life-threatening condition called Reye syndrome.
  • Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate – Not only is it important in and of itself, but staying hydrated helps children clear their secretions more effectively.
  • Teach your child to wash hands frequently – The flu virus is very contagious so washing your hands (and making sure your child does, too) and teaching good coughing and sneezing etiquette goes a long way towards preventing the spread of it.
  • See a doctor – Have your child seen, especially if he or she is an infant or has underlying medical conditions.

For more information about where to find a flu shot, visit floridahealth.gov.

Thank you Wolfson Children’s Hospital for sponsoring this post.

If you would like to read or leave a review about Wolfson Children’s Hospital, visit our Around Town Directory below.

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Wolfson Children’s Rehabilitation provides comprehensive, family-centered services to children from infancy through adolescence who have neurological or musculo-skeletal impairments due to injury, illness or congenital developmental conditions. The overall goal of our service is to help children function to their full potential in their everyday life activities. We accomplish this…

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