Flu: Why Take A Chance?

 

A recent review on The PediaBlog of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ most recent update on reducing the incidence and severity of influenza this coming flu season reminded parents to make sure everyone in the family is immunized by Halloween (“Flu Before Boo”), before the “tsunami” of influenza washes over our region in the Northern Hemisphere:

Many people think of the flu as a bad cold and don’t realize that it can be a very serious illness. The flu causes thousands of deaths in the US every year, even among healthy children. About 33 to 199 children and teens die each year of flu – 80% of those children were not fully vaccinated.

The flu vaccine is the best tool we have to protect children, especially those with special health care needs. With COVID still present in our communities, it is even more important to encourage flu and COVID-19 vaccination in the same visit.

 

In addition to receiving vaccines that are “the single best way to reduce the risk of seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests additional steps parents, teachers, and children can take to stop the spread of this seasonal scourge — actions we should all be familiar with during this COVID era:

1. Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

2. Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.

3. Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk.

4. Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

6. Practice other good health habits.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

 

One lesson we all should have learned during the brutal ongoing pandemic: If you are having symptoms indicating a contagious respiratory virus (runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever) and you can’t avoid contact with other people, at the very least wear a well-fitted mask over your mouth and nose!

Another lesson learned from COVID: Aside from acquiring some short-term antibodies after getting infected, there are no benefits (zero) acquired from getting sick with a highly contagious respiratory virus like influenza. With free and widely available vaccines that are proven safe and effective, coming down with the flu (or COVID-19) can be an unforced error that’s not worth making.

The 2022-2023 influenza season officially begins the first week of October. Follow its progress throughout the fall and winter on the CDC’s weekly surveillance “FluView” report here.

AHN Pediatrics offices are now immunizing children against what is expected to be a severe 2022-2023 influenza season. Stay tuned to our social media page and website, and check your inbox for announcements regarding upcoming flu vaccine clinics at a site near you. After all, why take a chance?

 

source http://www.thepediablog.com/2022/09/26/flu-why-take-a-chance/