While millions of Americans have to deal with nasty bouts of the flu, no one is more vulnerable to annual outbreaks than young children.
Each year, millions of children are afflicted with the influenza virus, which is far more dangerous than the common cold. Children with chronic health problems like asthma are especially at risk of serious flu-related complications. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that as many as 26,000 children younger than five years old have been hospitalized since 2010, and flu-related deaths during regular flu seasons have ranged from 37-131.
Which is why it’s important that you know how to protect your child not only this flu season, but every flu season.
The CDC recommends a seasonal flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older. Not only does this include children who are at high risk of developing flu-rated complications, but also family members or other caregivers who come in close contact with children. This is especially important if you have a child younger than six months old who cannot be vaccinated.
The seasonal flu vaccine is designed to protect against the most common influenza viruses. There are two types of vaccines:
· Trivalent vaccines – These traditional flu vaccines protect against the influenza A (H1N1) virus, the influenza A (H3N2) virus, and one influenza B virus.
· Quadrivalent vaccines – These protect against the same three viruses as the trivalent vaccine and an additional B virus.
Your child’s pediatrician will know which vaccine is best for your child. Note, however, that your child may need two doses of influenza vaccine if they are getting vaccinated for the first time or if they’ve only gotten one dose in previous seasons. Why? Because the first dose prepares your child’s immune system, while the second dose provides immune protection. If your child previously received two doses of a flu vaccine, they only need one dose this season.
Keep in mind that it usually takes a couple of weeks after vaccination for the protection to begin. So, the sooner your child is vaccinated, the sooner he or she will be protected once the flu starts spreading in your community.
Other ways to protect your child from the flu virus include avoiding their exposure to large crowds; keeping hands, shared objects, and surfaces clean; teaching older siblings good coughing etiquette; and making sure your child is getting plenty of rest and eating a well-balanced diet including fruits, vegetables, milk, and water.
If you or your child needs urgent care, come see us at Patient Care Now Urgent Care in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. We are open from 8 am to 8 pm, seven days a week. Call us at (267) 202-6433 for all your urgent care needs, or use our online check-in form.