The flu season has been upon us for a while now, but with still a long way to go, this year's particularly bad strain [1] is even more worrying — especially for children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [2], children under 5 are at a very high risk for developing serious complications due to the flu, while children under 2 are at the highest risk.
The strand that seems to be attacking the very young and old is H3N2. Since children's immune systems are still developing [3], their complications due to the flu can be much more severe, and in some cases, fatal (20 children have already died [4] of the flu this season). So what should you do to protect your kids?
The CDC issued a warning that the flu shot is less effective than usual due to this year's strain, but it still strongly recommends getting it [5] (it's not too late!) as it can greatly decrease the severity of symptoms if you do contract the flu. In addition to the vaccine, the CDC recommends frequent hand-washing; avoiding contact with sick people; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; and disinfecting surfaces. If you do suspect your baby or child may be infected, these are some of the possible symptoms to look for:
- Fever
- Body aches
- Chills
- Vomiting
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Secondary ear and sinus infections
- Secondary pneumonia
If your kids develop any of these symptoms, don't hesitate to call your pediatrician. According to Dr. Ian Tong from Doctor on Demand [6], your doctor could choose to start your child on an "antiviral medicine within the first 48 hours, because it can lead to a shorter and milder illness," adding, "It's important to act fast."