Influenza: Facts, Symptoms & Prevention
The winter season tends to be the most common time for your family to be exposed to the flu. In order to avoid a house full of fevers, runny noses, and cranky kids, it’s time to get your flu shots at Pediatric Care Group. As parents, it is vital to learn the symptoms caused by the flu, how to treat them, and most importantly, how to prevent them.
What exactly is influenza or the flu?
The flu is a highly contagious viral infection in the respiratory tract affecting the lungs, throat, and nose. It can affect any age, however, tends to be most common in children.
Symptoms:
Even though the flu has similar symptoms to the common cold, it is important to be able to distinguish the difference. Symptoms of the flu tend to develop faster (around one to three days after being exposed) and tend to be more severe.
Symptoms can include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- Muscle or body aches
- Runny or stuffy nose
- A sore throat and cough
Prevention:
- The number one way to keep your family free of the flu this winter season is for everyone to get their flu shots.
- Next, make sure you are fighting off germs properly. Teach your kids about hand hygiene: how to correctly wash their hands, and when to wash them (i.e.: after using the restroom, after touching your face or before eating).
- Keep common areas cleaned, disinfected, and humidified.
- Focus on your health as a family, exercise together, eat the proper amount of fruits and vegetables and make sure you are getting all the proper vitamins. Make sure everyone is getting enough Vitamin C!
If your child is showing potential signs of the flu, it is important to schedule a visit with your Pediatric Care Group physician. We can administer the Rapid Flu Test to determine if your symptoms align with those of the flu and take the proper next steps to keep you and your family healthy.
Schedule Your Flu Shot, Today!
