Influenza: Everything You Need to Know!
By: Amanda Damon, CPNP
(written 2014)
What are the main symptoms of the flu?
Fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, sometimes including shaking chills
Tiredness and muscle aches
Headache/sore throat in older children
Cough Vomiting and diarrhea
Congested/runny nose (If child’s fever is under 100 degrees Fahrenheit or has congested/runny nose alone, they could simply have the common cold)
If I think my child has the flu, what should I do?
Always consult your pediatrician if you are concerned. We will likely recommend to treat any fever over 100.4 with Tylenol or Motrin (NOT aspirin), as well as fluids and rest.
What warning signs can I look for that would indicate complications?
Call your pediatrician or go to the emergency room if your child experiences fast, labored breathing, fever that does not come down after Tylenol/Motrin, bluish/gray skin color, signs of dehydration, refusal to drink/eat, severe or persistent vomiting, decreased level of consciousness, not interacting as usual, or being so irritated that they do not want to be held or touched. When in doubt, always call!
When can my child go back to school after the flu?
Once your child is fever-free for 24 hours and is able to tolerate food and fluids without vomiting or feeling sick or tired, they can go back to school.
The flu sounds awful and scary! How can I prevent my child from getting influenza this season?
It is recommended by the Center for Disease Control as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics that all qualifying children over the age of 6 months be vaccinated against influenza. This recommendation has been in place since February 24, 2010 when CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted for "universal" flu vaccination in the U.S. to expand protection against the flu to more people.
If you have already had your child vaccinated (good for you!), there are other ways you can continue to keep your child healthy:
HANDWASHING is huge, using soap or antibacterial hand gels frequently is a great way to prevent the spread of illness, teach your child to cough/sneeze into their elbow area and not their hands, avoid exposure to children who are sick or who have not been vaccinated, discourage sharing of cups, straws, spoons, etc.
DRINKING plenty of water and getting adequate rest at night is always a good way to stay healthy as well!
What does the flu vaccine prevent against?
The 2014-2015 influenza vaccine can protect your child from getting sick from several deadly viruses, or it can make your child's illness milder if they get a related but different strain or form of flu virus. The flu mist as well as the injectable are both Quadrivalent which means they protect against 4 strains of the flu. The following strains are prevented by the flu vaccine: A/California/7/2009 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus, A/Texas/50/2012 (H3N2)-like virus, B/Massachusetts/2/2012-like virus, B virus (B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus).
The flu vaccine comes in two forms: The "flu shot" is an inactivated vaccine which contains killed virus and is given with a needle. This is approved for use in children older than 6 months. The "flu mist" is a nasal-spray flu vaccine which contains a vaccine made with live, weakened Influenza virus. This is approved for use in children over the age of 2 years old without a recent history of wheezing or immunosuppression. Both forms protect against all 4 strains of influenza, but it is recommended that you discuss with your pediatrician which form is best for your child.
After my child is vaccinated against influenza, how soon will the shot take effect and how long will it last?
Research has shown that it takes two weeks* for one dose to become effective. If your child requires two doses, it will take two weeks after the second dose to become fully effective. The flu vaccine provides protection for about a year.
How do I know if my child will need one or two doses of the flu vaccine for it be effective this season?
Children aged six months to eight years who have never had the flu vaccine should receive two doses – a month apart, during their first season of vaccination. This is recommended because these children likely have not been exposed to the flu in the past and they need two doses to have a good response to the vaccine. After the age of 8, children receiving the flu vaccine for the first time will only require one dose.
It is already flu season, is it too late to get my child vaccinated?
We encourage vaccination in the fall to give your child time to build up immunity against the virus. However, flu season can last into early spring, therefore we will continue to offer and encourage the flu vaccine until the late winter months. Better late than never!
My baby is not 6 months old yet, how can I protect them?
Adults are also strongly encouraged to receive the flu vaccine in order to protect themselves and their young children from the flu. If you received the flu vaccine while you were pregnant, this can help protect your baby until they are old enough to receive the flu vaccine. If your child is too young to be vaccinated, we recommend "cocooning". "Cocooning" is where family members and close caregivers and contacts of the baby such as parents, siblings, and grandparents be vaccinated against the disease so they are less likely to pass it on to the infant. If you bring your baby to a daycare, it would be important to make sure the daycare workers have been vaccinated.
Is the flu vaccine going to make my child sick?
No, side effects are minor and can include pain around the injection site for the vaccine, runny nose for the flu mist, and a low grade fever for either. These side effects are viewed as minor and the risk of contracting these side effects is outweighed by the benefit of being immune to deadly strains of the influenza virus.
My child has an egg allergy, can they still receive the flu vaccine?
We still recommend vaccination against influenza in children with minor egg allergies. If your child has had an anaphylactic reaction to eggs, please discuss this with your pediatrician.
Convinced?
Streeterville pediatrics if offering both the flu mist and the flu vaccine to all of our patients. We have flu clinics on Tuesday afternoons. We also take flu shot appointments throughout the week. Please call and make your appointment today!
Not Convinced?
A recent study* showed that the flu vaccine reduced children’s risk of flu-related pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission by 74% during flu seasons from 2010-2012.
Read a mother's story here: Danger of the Flu Virus
http://www.dedicatedtoallbetter.org/flu-virus-know-now/
Check out these resources for more information:
*http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm
*http://www2.aap.org/immunization/illnesses/flu/influenza.html
By: Amanda Damon, CPNP
(written 2014)
What are the main symptoms of the flu?
Fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, sometimes including shaking chills
Tiredness and muscle aches
Headache/sore throat in older children
Cough Vomiting and diarrhea
Congested/runny nose (If child’s fever is under 100 degrees Fahrenheit or has congested/runny nose alone, they could simply have the common cold)
If I think my child has the flu, what should I do?
Always consult your pediatrician if you are concerned. We will likely recommend to treat any fever over 100.4 with Tylenol or Motrin (NOT aspirin), as well as fluids and rest.
What warning signs can I look for that would indicate complications?
Call your pediatrician or go to the emergency room if your child experiences fast, labored breathing, fever that does not come down after Tylenol/Motrin, bluish/gray skin color, signs of dehydration, refusal to drink/eat, severe or persistent vomiting, decreased level of consciousness, not interacting as usual, or being so irritated that they do not want to be held or touched. When in doubt, always call!
When can my child go back to school after the flu?
Once your child is fever-free for 24 hours and is able to tolerate food and fluids without vomiting or feeling sick or tired, they can go back to school.
The flu sounds awful and scary! How can I prevent my child from getting influenza this season?
It is recommended by the Center for Disease Control as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics that all qualifying children over the age of 6 months be vaccinated against influenza. This recommendation has been in place since February 24, 2010 when CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted for "universal" flu vaccination in the U.S. to expand protection against the flu to more people.
If you have already had your child vaccinated (good for you!), there are other ways you can continue to keep your child healthy:
HANDWASHING is huge, using soap or antibacterial hand gels frequently is a great way to prevent the spread of illness, teach your child to cough/sneeze into their elbow area and not their hands, avoid exposure to children who are sick or who have not been vaccinated, discourage sharing of cups, straws, spoons, etc.
DRINKING plenty of water and getting adequate rest at night is always a good way to stay healthy as well!
What does the flu vaccine prevent against?
The 2014-2015 influenza vaccine can protect your child from getting sick from several deadly viruses, or it can make your child's illness milder if they get a related but different strain or form of flu virus. The flu mist as well as the injectable are both Quadrivalent which means they protect against 4 strains of the flu. The following strains are prevented by the flu vaccine: A/California/7/2009 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus, A/Texas/50/2012 (H3N2)-like virus, B/Massachusetts/2/2012-like virus, B virus (B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus).
The flu vaccine comes in two forms: The "flu shot" is an inactivated vaccine which contains killed virus and is given with a needle. This is approved for use in children older than 6 months. The "flu mist" is a nasal-spray flu vaccine which contains a vaccine made with live, weakened Influenza virus. This is approved for use in children over the age of 2 years old without a recent history of wheezing or immunosuppression. Both forms protect against all 4 strains of influenza, but it is recommended that you discuss with your pediatrician which form is best for your child.
After my child is vaccinated against influenza, how soon will the shot take effect and how long will it last?
Research has shown that it takes two weeks* for one dose to become effective. If your child requires two doses, it will take two weeks after the second dose to become fully effective. The flu vaccine provides protection for about a year.
How do I know if my child will need one or two doses of the flu vaccine for it be effective this season?
Children aged six months to eight years who have never had the flu vaccine should receive two doses – a month apart, during their first season of vaccination. This is recommended because these children likely have not been exposed to the flu in the past and they need two doses to have a good response to the vaccine. After the age of 8, children receiving the flu vaccine for the first time will only require one dose.
It is already flu season, is it too late to get my child vaccinated?
We encourage vaccination in the fall to give your child time to build up immunity against the virus. However, flu season can last into early spring, therefore we will continue to offer and encourage the flu vaccine until the late winter months. Better late than never!
My baby is not 6 months old yet, how can I protect them?
Adults are also strongly encouraged to receive the flu vaccine in order to protect themselves and their young children from the flu. If you received the flu vaccine while you were pregnant, this can help protect your baby until they are old enough to receive the flu vaccine. If your child is too young to be vaccinated, we recommend "cocooning". "Cocooning" is where family members and close caregivers and contacts of the baby such as parents, siblings, and grandparents be vaccinated against the disease so they are less likely to pass it on to the infant. If you bring your baby to a daycare, it would be important to make sure the daycare workers have been vaccinated.
Is the flu vaccine going to make my child sick?
No, side effects are minor and can include pain around the injection site for the vaccine, runny nose for the flu mist, and a low grade fever for either. These side effects are viewed as minor and the risk of contracting these side effects is outweighed by the benefit of being immune to deadly strains of the influenza virus.
My child has an egg allergy, can they still receive the flu vaccine?
We still recommend vaccination against influenza in children with minor egg allergies. If your child has had an anaphylactic reaction to eggs, please discuss this with your pediatrician.
Convinced?
Streeterville pediatrics if offering both the flu mist and the flu vaccine to all of our patients. We have flu clinics on Tuesday afternoons. We also take flu shot appointments throughout the week. Please call and make your appointment today!
Not Convinced?
A recent study* showed that the flu vaccine reduced children’s risk of flu-related pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission by 74% during flu seasons from 2010-2012.
Read a mother's story here: Danger of the Flu Virus
http://www.dedicatedtoallbetter.org/flu-virus-know-now/
Check out these resources for more information:
*http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm
*http://www2.aap.org/immunization/illnesses/flu/influenza.html