The flu season has arrived!

The flu season has arrived! This year the Center for Disease Control did not recommend the FluMist because they found that it did not protect children against the influenza (flu) infection. Because of this, the only recommended vaccines available are by injection. It appears that the current vaccine will be effective against the different flu viruses beginning to show up in Texas! So it is still not too late to have your child vaccinated. However, it may take several weeks for the vaccine to take effect, so your child could still catch the flu.Flu symptoms include:

• Fever from 102 or higher
• Coughing
• Congestion
• Upset stomach
• Muscle aches

Complications from the flu include febrile seizures in young children and pneumonia. There are medications if prescribed within the first 48 hours of symptoms that may shorten the course of the illness. After 48 hours, the medications probably will not work as well because the illness has advanced to far to have an impact on the healing process. So if you are unable to see your doctor in a timely manner, Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care has eight convenient locations around San Antonio, Selma, New Braunfels and Dallas to care for your child!

-Thomas Spurgat, M.D., MBA