Learn how to protect your child from the Cold and Flu Season!

October 17, 2017

The flu & cold season usually starts in fall and ends in spring. The illness tends to be more pronounced in preschool or school-aged children. Colds are caused by common viruses that are spread from person to person and usually presents stuffy or runny nose and cough.

The Flu comes every year. Sometimes it peaks early, surprising doctors, and other times, it runs through spring with a spike of fevered patients. Let’s fight out this Cold and Flu Season!

How can I prevent it?

Help avoid its spread by teaching children not to touch their face or bring toys to their mouth, and not to share drinks or utensils with others. Also teach your children how to cough or sneeze into their sleeves and to wash their hands frequently. Keep infants under three months of age from having close contact with sick children or adults. Flu Vaccination is especially recommended for all children 6 months of age and older, children of American Indian/Alaskan Native heritage, children with high risk conditions (like asthma and allergies) and children younger than 5 years.

What to expect?

Young children get an average of 8 to 10 colds each year. Symptoms are usually worst on the first two days before they start gradually getting better in about one or two weeks. Symptoms include: sudden fever, chills and body shakes, headache, body aches, tiredness, sore throat, dry/hacking cough, stuffy and runny nose. Some children may throw up (vomit) and have loose stools (diarrhea).

Is the Flu Contagious?

Most healthy adults may be able to infect other people beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Children may pass the virus for longer than 7 days. Symptoms start 1 to 4 days after the virus enters the body. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Some people can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those persons may still spread the virus to others.

What to do?

You can keep your child comfortable by offering plenty of fluids, running a cool mist vaporizer or humidifier, and using over the counter pain and fever reducers. For stuffy noises, saline nasal drops or sprays can help. Also, chest ointments and cool mist might help with cough and nasal congestion. For children over a year, giving honey can be helpful for cough. Allow for plenty of rest.

How sick is too sick?

Call your Pediatrician immediately if your child has an underlying chronic medical condition, such as heart or lung disease, or, is under 3 months of age.

Healthy children usually get over the flu in about a week or two, without any lingering problems. However, you might suspect a complication if your child says that his ear hurts, has chest tightness or feels pressure in his face and head. Call your Pediatrician if your child has a high or persistent fever, white spots on tonsils, difficulty breathing, extreme tiredness, or dehydration. These can be signs of a complication or something more serious such a pneumonia, strep throat, or ear infection, and other treatments may be needed.

What NOT to do?

Cough and cold medicines are NOT recommended for children under six years of age; do not use unless your Pediatrician recommends it with specific instructions. Never give aspirin to a child who is suspected of having the flu. Aspirin during influenza is associated with an increased risk of developing Reye’s syndrome.

Fact Check:

- Flu Shot will be administered by Dr. Medina after a quick health screening. Call 561-619-2460 for your appointment!
- SuperKids Pediatrics’ Flu vaccine stock is on Non-preservative and single-dose presentation, and is offered to all of our patients – no out of pocket – regardless of insurance coverage.
- Getting vaccinated also protects people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and young children, older people, and people with certain chronic health conditions. Benefits of flu vaccination

All persons aged 6 months and older are recommended for annual vaccination, with rare exceptions. Talk to your Doctor about concerns over exceptions.
The nasal spray flu vaccines (live attenuated influenza vaccine or LAIV) should NOT be used as per CDC recommendations.
Some schools districts offer vaccination programs at schools
The most common mild reaction has been soreness, redness or swelling at the spot and they usually last less than two days. Low grade fever and aches are mild reactions associated with the flu vaccine. Serious allergic reactions to flu vaccines are very rare. If they occur, it is usually within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.

by: Lizaida Medina Candelaria, MD FAAP

Dr. Medina is a Board Certified Pediatrician and an active member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Palm Beach Pediatric Society.