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With peak flu season approaching, it’s more important than ever to take steps to protect your family’s health. As beloved community pediatricians, Dr. Amy Glick and Dr. Tanya Busenlener from Children’s Hospital New Orleans have seen first-hand the impact that the flu can have on children and their families and want to remind you that while the flu might feel like a common, seasonal nuisance, it can lead to serious complications, especially for young children.
The Importance of Flu Vaccination
The flu vaccine remains the most effective way to prevent the flu. While it’s not 100% foolproof, it significantly reduces the severity of symptoms if your child does catch the flu. For children under the age of five, especially those under two, the flu can be more dangerous, sometimes leading to complications like pneumonia, dehydration, or worsening of chronic conditions like asthma.
“The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that everyone six months and older receive an annual flu shot,” said Dr. Glick. “Timing is critical. You want to get your child vaccinated early in the season, so they have full protection by the time flu season peaks, typically between December and February.”
Last year’s flu season was particularly severe, and experts caution this year could be similar. The flu vaccine is updated yearly to target the most likely strains, making yearly vaccination essential. With other respiratory illnesses like RSV and COVID-19 still circulating, children could be exposed to more than one virus at once, heightening the need for flu prevention.
Flu symptoms can come on suddenly and often include fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea.
“Most children will recover from the flu within a week with plenty of rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications for symptom relief,” said Dr. Busenlener. “However, seek immediate medical care if your child experiences difficulty breathing, persistent high fever, chest pain or severe vomiting or dehydration.”
In some cases, antiviral medications can reduce the severity of the flu, but they are most effective within the first 48 hours of symptom onset.
To prevent the flu and other viruses from spreading, follow these simple but effective tips:
- Get Vaccinated: Make sure every eligible family member gets the flu vaccine as soon as possible.
- Practice Good Hygiene: Wash hands frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing. Keep hand sanitizer available for moments when soap and water aren’t accessible.
- Clean Surfaces: Regularly disinfect surfaces that are touched frequently, such as doorknobs, light switches, and toys.
- Stay Home When Sick: If your child is showing symptoms, keep them home from school and activities to prevent spreading the virus to others.
- Encourage Healthy Habits: Teach your children to cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing, and avoid touching their face, particularly their eyes, nose, and mouth.
Flu season can be unpredictable, but you can help protect your family by planning ahead.