With children back in the classroom and flu season quickly approaching, it’s more important than ever for children to get their flu shot. In any given “flu epidemic,” children are almost always some of the first to get sick, as the epidemic begins in the schools and spreads quickly throughout the rest of the community.
Whenever a person coughs, sneezes, or even speaks, strands of the flu virus can be transferred from person to person. In fact, simply touching an object that has been contaminated by someone with the flu is enough to catch the virus. With so much exposure to other people and objects in the classroom environment, no wonder it’s so easy for children to catch the flu.
The most common symptoms of the flu include:
- Cough
- Nausea and stomach pain
- Extreme soreness throughout the body; headaches
- High temperature
- Chills and shakes that accompany the fever
- Prolonged or unusual tiredness
Among children, the symptoms of the flu are the worst at their onset. For the first two or three days, the symptoms will be at their peak, generally beginning to taper or disappear by the fifth day, though several symptoms will linger.
Of course, if you believe your child has become sick with the flu, it’s critical to contact your health provider immediately. Kids are particularly susceptible to the potential complications that the flu can lead to such as pneumonia. While the flu generally vanishes within a two-week period, children and senior citizens may experience complications due to a weaker immune system.
How to Avoid the Flu
While it’s impossible to prevent exposure to the flu, especially if your child isn’t homeschooled and instead sits in the classroom on a daily basis, it is possible to shield your children from the flu. By getting flu shots for your children, you can ensure that your family is kept safe this upcoming winter.
With so many fun things this time of year such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the holidays, it’s absolutely important to ensure that everyone is kept healthy, especially your children. By scheduling a flu shot today, you can prevent the flu in your children and avoid the miserable symptoms.
Be sure to stay healthy and contact us today to learn more!
The information and content on our website should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment or advice from your doctor.
