Be Prepared for Flu Season

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Influenza is a viral infection that can cause mild to severe illness and, at times, death. People who have the flu are contagious even 1 day before their symptoms develop and up to 7 days after becoming sick. 

The most common type of flu is the seasonal flu. There are different strains of seasonal flu with the most common being Type A and Type B.  Type A mutates rapidly while type B does not change much over time.  Each year, a new form of the vaccine is developed to protect people against the strains that are expected to be most common that year.  

According to the CDC, the estimated number of flu illnesses in the last season was 49 Million. That’s more than the population of Texas and Florida combined!

Flu Symptoms:

  • Fever

  • Cough

  • Sore Throat

  • Runny or stuffy nose

  • Muscle or body aches

  • Headaches

  • Fatigue

  • Vomiting / diarrhea

Children and the Flu

Young children (under 5 years of age, and especially under 2 years old) are at high risk of serious flu-related complications. 

Complications from flu among children in this age group can include:

    • Pneumonia

    • Dehydration

    • Worsening of long-term medical problems

    • Brain dysfunction

    • Sinus problems and ear infections

    • In rare cases, death.

Prevention is key to decreasing the risk of influenza related illness.  Be sure to make the time to get yourself and your children vaccinated.  This will decrease the risk of your children getting the flu.  The flu vaccine decreases the risk of severity of symptoms as well as hospitalizations and death in children.  

As much as possible, keep yourself and your children away from people who are sick.  If you get flu symptoms, avoid all preventable contact with other people.  Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands often with soap and water.  If you are not near water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.  Try not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth as germs are often spread this way.  Lastly, make sure to clean and disinfect the common areas around your home.  As always, it is important to seek medical care as soon as possible.  Your medical provider can provide medication to combat the infection as well as preventative medication for close family members living in the same household. 

 
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