Got the Shot?
A simple flu shot may do more than help prevent your child from getting a nasty bug.
A recent study found that 153 children and teens died of influenza in the U.S. during the 2003-2004 season, which is more than those who died from whooping cough, measles, and chickenpox combined, and many more than previously estimated. Help your family ward off serious illness, or worse, by having your child vaccinated each year.
Not only are children vulnerable to the flu, but they also help spread it. Getting your kids in the habit of washing their hands frequently will work wonders at reducing infectious illness. However, make sure they spend at least 15 seconds scrubbing the back and front of their hands, including between fingers and under fingernails. Warning them against touching their eyes, nose, or mouth can help keep pesky germs away, too. And, teach your kids to always cough or sneeze into a tissue, or even their sleeve if necessary. If your children develop flu symptoms, keep them home from school, help them avoid close contact with others, and call your pediatrician. If you're the parent or caregiver of an infant under the age of six months, maintain a healthy environment for your child by getting your own flu shot, as vaccinations don't work for children that young.
