The flu vaccine seems like another thing for parents to do every year. This is extremely important for a parent of children with asthma and allergies. The flu, influenza, or seasonal flu causes fevers ranging from 100◦F to 104◦F. It also includes body and muscles aches, headache, pain when moving the eyes, fatigue, runny nose, dry cough, and sore throat. These symptoms are bothersome for most people but for a child with asthma can cause an attack, hospitalization, round the clock nebulizer treatments, and a course of steroids.
Fall is a very busy time of year for most parents. Children are going back to school, fall sports, holidays, and the routine is different. This can be a stressful time of year. The seasonal flu vaccine is one more thing for a parent to remember to get their child. It is also important to remember to immunize the whole house. If you protect only the child and another family member becomes ill, the child is still at risk of becoming ill.
So now it is February, you may be thinking I am in the clear. I dodged the bullet. I do not have to worry about the seasonal flu. It has been a mild winter. My kids have had the stomach flu, strep throat, and everything else but we have missed seasonal flu. Well, sorry to break the bad news but the CDC is reporting cases of seasonal flu. In fact, the flu is just ramping up. Wisconsin is reporting “sporadic activity” for last week. The bug is out there and ready to strike at any moment.
Okay the question in your mind is, “What do I do now? Is it too late?” The answer is no. You can still get the shot. Call your doctor and get the vaccine as soon as possible. Secondly prepare. Clean the doorknobs and handles every night. Practice good hand washing. This will stop the spread of germs. Buy new tooth brushes. Start over. Wash your bedding in hot water. This may seem like you are going overboard but you are fighting a war so to speak. You want to get rid of any unwanted germs in the house. You are protecting your children from potential bugs that may cause a virus that will send you to the hospital.
The important things to remember are get your vaccine if you have not, clean all surfaces daily, wash bedding, buy new toothbrushes, and practice good hand washing. A little hard work may stop the spread of a virus and keep your family safe.
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