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What is the flu?

What is the flu?: Influenza (the flu) is a very contagious respiratory illness. It is caused by the influenza virus. There are two main types of influenza virus, A and B. Type A has many subtypes and these can change from year to year.
When can you get the flu?: Flu activity in the US usually peaks between December and March. The timing of peak activity changes from year to year. In 16 of the past 26 years, the US flu season has peaked in February or later.
What are symptoms of the flu?: The flu is different from a cold. Symptoms usually develop suddenly. Symptoms include: high fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, dry cough, sore throat, and runny or stuffy nose. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may occur in children. These symptoms usually worsen over the first 3-5 days of illness and then gradually improve.
How do you catch the flu?: The flu is very contagious. It is spread from person to person in respiratory droplets when people who are infected cough or sneeze. You can also become infected by touching something with the influenza virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Are there any complications from the flu?: Complications from the flu can include dehydration, sinus and ear infections, and pneumonia. Most worrisome is that young children and older adults are at risk for death from complications of the flu.
Is the flu preventable?: Vaccination is the best method for preventing the flu and its potentially severe complications in children. Vaccination for all children aged 6 months through 18 years is recommended. Because the flu virus changes from year to year, annual vaccination against the flu is recommended. There are 2 types of flu vaccine:
Who CANNOT get the flu shot?: Children under 6 months of age may not get the flu shot.; Children who are allergic to egg may not get the flu shot.; Children who have had a severe reaction to the flu shot in the past should not be vaccinated.; Children with a history of Guillain Barre Syndrome should not get the flu shot.; Children should not get the flu shot when they are ill or have fever.
Who CANNOT get the flumist?: Children under 2 years of age may not get flumist.; Children who are allergic to egg may not get the flumist.; Children with serious chronic diseases like diabetes, weakened immune systems, heart disease, and kidney disease may not get flumist.; Children who have asthma or recurrent wheezing may not get flumist.; Children who are on long-term aspirin therapy may not get flumist.; Children who have received MMR or Varivax < 1 month ago, may not get flumist.; Flumist should not be given within 2 weeks before or 48 hrs after taking tamiflu.
Are there any side effects from the flu shot or flumist?: Most who receive the flu vaccine do not experience serious side effects. Possible side effects of the flu shot include: redness, soreness, or swelling at the injection side, low grade fever, body aches. If these side effects occur, they typically begin soon after the shot and usually last 1-2 days. Possible side effects from flu mist include headache, cough, sneezing, muscle aches, fever, and fatigue.
Can my child get the flu from the flu vaccine?: It is a common myth that the flu shot can actually cause the flu. The flu shot is made from killed influenza viruses, which means it is not possible to catch the flu just by receiving it. Flumist is made from live viruses and may cause mild flu like symptoms such as headache, runny nose, vomiting, muscle aches and fever.
When is the flu shot available?: Vaccination should begin in September or as soon as the vaccine is available.
Can my child still catch the flu if he/she has had the flu vaccine?: Flu vaccine significantly decreases the chance your child will catch the flu. It does not completely guarantee that he/she will not get the flu. Those who do catch the flu despite being vaccinated typically have fewer and milder symptoms. The flu vaccine only protects against the influenza vaccine. It does not prevent other viral illness.
Flumist does not contain thimerasol.: Thimerasol free flu shot is available for children 6 months to 36 months of age. The flu shot given to children over 36 months does contain a minimal amount of thimerasol.
How do I protect my child under 6 mo of age from getting the flu?: Children under 6 months of age are too young to receive the vaccine but can become very sick from the flu. The best way to protect these children is for their household members and caretakers to be vaccinated. Do not expose your young infant to crowds. Practice careful hand washing. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
What should I do if I think my child has the flu?: Call our office to schedule a sick visit appointment.
: How is the flu diagnosed? The flu can be diagnosed in our office with a nasal swab.
Is there treatment for the flu?: If your child gets the flu, make sure he/she gets plenty of rest and drinks plenty of fluids. Tylenol or Motrin may be used for fever. NEVER give aspirin to children or teens that have flu like symptoms. Antibiotics do not treat the flu. There are antiviral drugs that if started within 2 days of getting sick may decrease symptoms and duration of illness by 1-2 days. Due to significant side effects from these antiviral drugs, they may not be recommended for your child.
How long is my child with the flu contagious?: The contagious period is from the day before symptoms appear until 7 days after the onset of symptoms.
If my child has the flu, when can he/she return to daycare or school?: This will depend on how quickly your child�s symptoms resolve. In general, children may return to daycare or school when:; Fever free for 48 hours; Eating and drinking normally
If my child has been exposed to the flu, how soon may he/she develop flu symptoms?: Symptoms of the flu can develop within 1-3 days of exposure.