Flu Treatments Kalamazoo MI

Protecting your children from the flu will be a little less painful this year. That's because, the 2010-2011 flu vaccine is the only one you need.

Unlike last year when the H1N1 (swine flu) shot was given in addition to the seasonal flu vaccine, this year's protection is all in one. The current vaccine was developed as a trivalent (three component) vaccine that includes protection against the H1N1 plus two other flu strains: influenza A H3N2 and an influenza B virus. According to scientists at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland shortages of this year's vaccine are not expected.

Now is a good time to get vaccinated since flu season typically peaks from late November through March (though cases have been reported as late as early May).

Experts recommend that everyone over the age of 6 months receive an annual influenza vaccine but it's especially important that children under 5 receive the shot since they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications such as pneumonia. Children with asthma, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, born prematurely, or with immune problems such as HIV are considered high-risk populations as well.

Though infants 6 months and younger should not receive a flu shot, you can protect them by ensuring that all family members as well as caregivers inside or outside of your home get their shot.

According to www.flu.gov , the official flu website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on average 5 to 20 percent of the US populations gets the flu and more than 200, 000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications. Flu-related causes result in an average of 23,600 deaths each year.  

Cold or Flu?

The CDC lists the following symptoms that can be caused by all types of flu:

• Fever (though not everyone with the flu will run a fever)
• Coughing and/or sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Headaches and/or body aches
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Vomiting and diarrhea are also more common in children than adults.

If these symptoms last more than a week or worsen, your child likely has the flu.

Influenza is spread from person to person by direct contact, by virus particles being passed through the air (sneezing coughing, for example) so practice good hygiene. Teach your child not to cough or sneeze without covering his nose and mouth with a tissue. Encourage frequent hand washing with warm, soapy water and never allow family members to share drinking glasses, utensils or toothbrushes. Though sick kids benefit from plenty of tender loving care, avoid kissing an infected child on or around the mouth.

How to Treat

In most children, symptoms last for less than a week and benefit from extra rest, extra fluids and fever-reducing medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. (∗Never give children aspirin as it is associated with Reye's Syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal illness.) Do not send your child to school if he or she has flu ...