Get vaccinated, know symptoms to curb spread of flu
HOUSTON -- (November 5, 2008) -- Pediatricians at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston say a rising fever, respiratory symptoms, unusual exhaustion and muscle aches are indicators that a child is coming down with the flu and could be contagious to their school mates.
"Your child's flu may begin with a mild, low-grade fever, but within 24 hours, it is rising to 103 to 105 degrees," said Dr. Carol J. Baker, professor of pediatrics and molecular virology and microbiology at BCM. "The nasal stuffiness and congestion become more severe. They will not eat or get up and play. This is when you should consider taking your child to the doctor and keeping them out of school."
Onset of illness
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The first 36 to 48 hours of the onset of the infection is critical, said Baker, also executive director of the Center for Vaccine Awareness and Research at Texas Children's Hospital.
"One to two days before the height of the sickness, they are contagious to other young babies, children and adults who have not gotten, or cannot get, the flu shot," said Baker. "In order to make them better more quickly, you have to give the antiviral medication within 36 to 48 hours of illness onset."
Those who cannot get the flu shot include infants under six months of age and some transplants patients.
Get a flu shot
Flu is typically not serious in the five to 18-year-old group, Baker said, but getting your child the flu shot is extremely important. "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all children from six months of age to 18 get a flu shot," she said.
"Children will stay home from school and feel lousy, but they are very unlikely to get pneumonia or need to be hospitalized unless they are having trouble breathing," Baker said. "However, a few of these children die every year. Last year, nearly one-third of the pediatric deaths associated with influenza in the U.S. afflicted this age group. The best way to protect yourself and your child is with a flu vaccine."
"The school-age group is really a great group to prevent spreading flu in the community," said Baker. "If we can get enough kids immunized, we will stop epidemics in schools and protect people who are not protected from the flu shot."
Never too late
Baker said colds and respiratory infections occur all year, but the flu is seasonal, and with rare exceptions, does not come to Houston until November or December and can last as late as May.
"Flu season lasts longer than most people think. It is never too late to get yourself and your child a flu vaccine," she says. "The vaccine lasts all season long."
There is an ample supply of flu vaccine this year, Baker says. They are available at your doctor's office and some alternative venues, including pharmacies, grocery stores and school programs.