As parents, you do everything you can to keep your child healthy. One of the best ways to protect them each year is with an annual flu vaccine. It can lead to serious illness, hospitalization, and missed school days, even in otherwise healthy children.
At Anderson Hills Pediatrics, we’re here to help keep your family healthy throughout the flu season. Below are answers to some of the most common questions parents ask about the flu and flu vaccines.
What is the flu?
Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It spreads through coughing, sneezing, talking, and contact with contaminated surfaces.
Flu season typically begins in the fall, peaks during the winter months, and can continue into the spring.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
Flu symptoms usually begin suddenly and may include:
- Fever (although not every child develops one)
- Chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Vomiting or diarrhea (more common in children than adults)
Children with the flu often feel much sicker than they do with a typical cold.
How is the flu different from a cold?
Although both illnesses affect the respiratory system, the flu usually comes on much more suddenly and causes more severe symptoms.
A cold often develops gradually with mild congestion and a runny nose. Influenza is more likely to cause a sudden fever, body aches, chills, significant fatigue, and a cough that can linger for days or even weeks.
When should I call the pediatrician?
We are always available and a phone call away. Contact our office if your child:
- Has difficulty breathing
- Is not drinking enough fluids or shows signs of dehydration
- Seems unusually sleepy or difficult to wake
- Has symptoms that improve but then return with worsening fever or cough
- Is younger than 3 months and develops a fever
- Has a chronic medical condition and develops flu symptoms
Prescription antiviral medication may be recommended for some children and works best when started early (in most cases within 48 hours of symptom onset).
Flu Vaccines
Who should get a flu vaccine?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older, unless there is a medical reason they should not receive it.
Getting vaccinated each year is important because flu viruses change from season to season, and immunity naturally decreases over time.
Why is the flu vaccine important?
While no vaccine can prevent every case of influenza, flu vaccination remains the most effective way to protect your child.
Children who receive a flu vaccine are less likely to become seriously ill if they get the flu. Vaccination helps reduce the risk of:
- Hospitalization
- Pneumonia
- Ear infections
- Dehydration
- Missed school and activities
- Serious complications, including inflammation of the heart, brain, or muscles, sepsis, and in rare cases, deathFlu vaccination also helps protect infants, grandparents, pregnant women, and others who may be at higher risk for severe illness.
Which children are at higher risk for serious flu complications?
Any child can develop serious complications from the flu, but the risk is highest for:
- Children younger than 5 years, especially those younger than 2
- Children with asthma or other chronic lung disease
- Children with diabetes
- Children with heart disease
- Children with weakened immune systems
- Children with certain neurologic or developmental conditions
These children are especially important to vaccinate each year.
Can the flu vaccine give my child the flu?
No. The injectable flu vaccine used at Anderson Hills Pediatrics cannot cause influenza. Some children may experience mild side effects such as:
- Soreness where the vaccine was given
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- A low-grade fever
These side effects are usually mild and resolve within a day or two. Many children have no side effects at all.
Does my child need one dose or two?
Some children between 6 months and 8 years of age need two flu vaccine doses during the season, given at least four weeks apart. It is important to note that this is only indicated the very first time a child receives a flu vaccine. Every season after that, only one “booster” vaccine is recommended.
The number of doses depends on your child’s age and previous flu vaccination history. Our team will review your child’s record and let you know exactly what they need.
Can my child get a flu vaccine if they have a cold?
Usually, yes. Children with a mild illness, such as a cold without a significant fever, can generally receive their flu vaccine. If your child has a moderate or severe illness, we may recommend waiting until they recover. If you’re unsure, give our office a call.
My child is healthy. Do they really need a flu vaccine?
Yes. Healthy children can become very sick from influenza. Every year, children without underlying medical conditions are hospitalized with flu complications.
Vaccination not only helps protect your child but also helps reduce the spread of influenza to family members, classmates, teachers, newborns, grandparents, and others who may be more vulnerable.
What if my child gets the flu anyway?
While vaccinated children can still get influenza, they are generally less likely to develop severe illness or require hospitalization.
When is the best time to get vaccinated?
It’s best to receive the flu vaccine before influenza begins spreading widely in the community. Since it takes about two weeks for the body to build protection, we encourage families to get vaccinated as soon as vaccine becomes available.
Even if you don’t get vaccinated early in the season, it’s still worthwhile to receive your flu vaccine as long as influenza viruses are circulating.
Ready to schedule your child’s flu vaccine?
We’re offering flu vaccines to parents and loved ones, so the whole family can get their flu shot together. Take advantage of our user-friendly web scheduling links for our Anderson and Amelia locations. Parents and family members should choose “New Patient” when scheduling appointments. Alternatively, you can request a flu shot during your child’s upcoming check-up without requiring a separate appointment. If you encounter any difficulty finding an appointment slot, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (513) 232-8100, and we’ll gladly explore additional options tailored to your family’s schedule.
Schedule Your Child’s Flu Vaccine
If your child is in need of immunizations, call or text our office in Cincinnati or Amelia, OH at (513) 232-8100 today!