As winter approaches, there still is time for people who've been putting off their flu shots to get prepared before the height of flu season is here.
       The flu is a highly contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory system that peaks in its number of cases in the winter season. Dr. Jane Siegel, an infectious diseases expert on the medical staff at Children's and professor of Pediatrics at UT Southwestern, said an estimated 10 to 20 percent of the population in the U.S. contracts the flu each year.
       Symptoms of the flu, which affects the nose, bronchial tubes and lungs, are characterized by a high fever, muscle aches, sore throat and a nonproductive cough, said Dr. Siegel.
       "While the flu can make people of any age ill, young children and people older than 65 generally are the age groups hit the hardest during flu season. The majority of adults and children have symptoms for only a few days, while others may experience a much more serious illness. In the worst case scenarios, the flu can lead to pneumonia and/or death," she said.
       Vaccination is the best way to prevent the disease and, contrary to public opinion, is safe. Vaccinations are recommended for high-risk children (those with lung, blood, kidney and immune system diseases) and for adults, especially those who have close contact with high-risk children.
 
Flu Shots
February is the peak month for influenza. According to Dr. Siegel, the quantity of flu vaccine for this season is plentiful.
   Still, though supplies are estimated to be abundant this year, the following groups of high-risk people still will rise to the top of the priority list for vaccine recipients:

• Children ages 6-23 months.
• People ages 2-64 years with chronic health conditions.
• Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children 6 months old or younger.
• People ages 65 years and older, with and without chronic health conditions.
• Residents of long-term care facilities.
• Pregnant women.
• Health-care personnel who provide direct patient care.

FluMist nasal vaccine option
If you or your child are not in a high-risk group, are between the ages of 5 and 49 years, and you would like to get vaccinated against the flu without receiving a shot, then you can ask your doctor about getting FluMist, the nasal spray flu vaccine. Click here for more information about FluMist.

What are the symptoms of the flu?
The following are the most common symptoms of the flu. However, each child may experience symptoms differently.
       The flu is called a respiratory disease, but the whole body seems to suffer when a child has it. Children usually become suddenly ill with any, or all, of the following symptoms: 

• Fever, which may be as high as 103° F to 105° F
• Aches and pains 
• Not feeling well "all over"
• Headache 
• Cough that is nonproductive   
• Sore throat 
• Stuffy nose 
• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea   
• Fatigue

Most people recover from the flu within a week, but may be left feeling exhausted for as long as three to four weeks.
       The symptoms of influenza may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.

Treatment for the flu
Specific treatment for the flu will be determined by your child's physician based on:

• Your child's age, overall health, and medical history.
• Extent of the disease. 
• Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies. 
• Expectations for the course of the disease. 
• Your opinion or preference.

The goal of treatment for the flu is to help prevent or decrease the severity of symptoms. There is no cure for the flu. The length of therapy will be determined by your child's physician. Treatment may include: 

• Medications to relieve aches and fever (Aspirin should not be given to children with a fever without first consulting your child's physician). The drug of choice for children would be acetaminophen (Tylenol).
• Medications used for congestion and nasal discharge. 
• Bed rest. 
• Increased fluid intake. 
• Medication for your child's cough may be prescribed by your child's physician after a thorough evaluation.
• Antiviral medications, which must be started very shortly after symptoms begin.

Two medications, amantadine (for children older than one year up to age 14) and rimantadine (for children 14 and older), may be used to help decrease the effects of viruses in influenza type A.

Flu vaccine safety
Concerned about the safety of the flu vaccine for your child? The biggest study ever to look at the side effects of flu shots in children confirmed that the vaccine is safe for babies and toddlers. Click here to read the full report.