Flu

We are on the middle of a very busy flu season. By now every child over 6 month of age should have been immunized against flu. If not it's really not too late. Flu is a serious illness with more complications seen in children under the age of 5 years as well as any child with an underlying illness. The CDC recommends that infants and children under the age of 9 who have never received flu vaccine or who have not received 2 doses of vaccine during the 2009 season or later, receive two doses of the vaccine this season. The vaccine should be separated by a minimum of 4 weeks. If you child is over 2, there is the option of a live flu vaccine called flu mist. This is a needle free vaccine, given to healthy children as a simple nasal spray. It provides an excellent immune response and no tears! The symptoms of flu come on quickly and include fever, cough, sore throat, congestion and body aches. Flu does not feel like a cold but like you've been hit by a truck. Flu lasts anywhere from 3 - 10 days. Flu goes viral when an infected child coughs, sneezes or touches someone spreading the germs to friends and parents too. The best protection is to get a flu vaccine and to continue with good hand washing and cough hygiene throughout the flu season. It is time to run not walk and get your vaccine. I'm Dr. Sue with The Kid's Doctor helping parents take charge.