It’s the time of year when the cold and flu season starts again. Every fall and winter, lots of people get sick with a bad cold. It might seem like you can’t avoid getting sick, but there are ways you can protect yourself and your family from getting the flu.
Flu season is a time of year that can be especially hard on young children. The flu virus is highly contagious and can cause serious illnesses in children, especially those under the age of five. Parents need to understand the symptoms and risks associated with the flu to protect their children during this time.
In the first part of this guide, we go over some basic things you need to understand in order to protect your child from the flu.
What is the Flu?
The flu is a highly contagious virus that can have a major impact on your health. The flu season typically runs from October to May, peaking between December and February. While it’s important for everyone to take precautions to avoid getting the flu, it’s especially important for young children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.
The most common symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, body aches, and coughing. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and can last anywhere from a few days to weeks. Other symptoms include runny or stuffy nose, fatigue, and sore throat. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention right away.
Should You Get Flu Shots for Your Kid?
Yes, flu shots are recommended for children over 6 months old. The flu shot helps to protect against the most common strains of the flu each year.
It is important to get the shot each year, as the strains of the flu can change from year to year. It is also important to get the shot early in the season, as it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to start working.
Getting the flu shot is the best way to guard yourself and your family from getting ill. Not only does the vaccine help to reduce the chance of becoming infected and minimize the severity of any symptoms, it can also stop the flu from spreading to other people.
Should Your Children Get Flu Shots Every Year?
Yes, children need to get flu shots every year. The flu virus changes yearly, so the flu vaccine needs to be updated each year to protect against the most common strains.
Getting a flu shot each year is the best way to reduce the risk of getting the flu and prevent the virus from spreading to others. Children need to get vaccinated, as they are more likely to get sick and experience more severe symptoms than adults.
Flu vs. Covid-19
The flu and Covid-19 are both contagious viruses, but there are some key differences between the two. The flu is caused by the influenza virus and is spread through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, body aches, and fatigue. Vaccines are available to reduce the risk of getting the flu.
Covid-19 is caused by the novel coronavirus and is spread through contact with contaminated surfaces and droplets from coughing and sneezing. Vaccines for this disease
Conclusion
Flu can be a serious health risk for children, even though it is often milder in children than adults. It is important for parents to become familiar with the signs and symptoms of flu and to take appropriate action if their child is exhibiting any of them. In the next part of this guide, we’ll go over more distinctions of flu and Covid-19, as well as other questions parents might have.
If you want to protect your kids against the flu, Your Kids Urgent Care can help you out. We provide children’s urgent care in New Providence, NJ that will provide quality care for your child at any time. Get in touch with us today to learn how.
