Flu Season: How to Protect Yourself and Your Kids

Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care has two influenza vaccine options for the 2015-2016 Flu Season

• The Vaccine (for ages 6 months old and up)
• The Mist (for ages 2-49 years old )

Note: For children under age 8 who have never previously been vaccinated for the flu, two rounds are recommended…one month apart.

Here are some important things that parents need to know about the flu…

The flu is an illness caused by a virus. Like a cold, it attacks the nose, throat, and lungs. The flu can sometimes lead to other problems like pneumonia, ear/sinus problems, dehydration, and worsening of asthma. For most of us, the flu will go away in 1-2 weeks. It is a good idea to be vaccinate beforehand, to decrease your chances of coming down with the flu.

How can kids catch the flu?
The flu is easily passed from person to person via direct contact or via airborne pathogens (coughing and sneezing). A person can also get the flu by touching something with the flu virus on it, and then touching his or her mouth or nose. Flu is quite common in schools and daycares.

Who is most at risk for getting the flu?

Everyone is at risk for getting the flu, but for some people the flu can cause serious illness. Those most at risk include:

* All children aged 6 months to 5 years
* Children and adolescents (aged 6 months to 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
* Children and Adults who have lung conditions (including asthma), heart and liver conditons

* Children and adults with weak immune systems

* Pregnant Women
* People over 50 years old, including residents of nursing homes and other long-term-care facilities.
* Health care personnel
What are the symptoms of the flu?

Common flu symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and even vomiting or diarrhea.

What can you do? Be ahead of the game, and avoid catching the flu by protecting yourself and your children…Can’t get in with your doctor? Bring your kids to one of our 9 locations in San Antonio or Houston and we will be happy to serve you!

Written by: Kelly Gerszewski, Community Liaison for Dr. Thomas Spurgat, MD.