Overall, it’s also important to maintain a healthy lifestyle with good nutrition and plenty of rest to support your immune system. But…sometimes, things don’t go as planned!
Welcome to the annual āIs it a cold? The flu? COVID? Allergies? Or just Monday?ā guessing game! šµļøāāļø
Hereās your quick, no-panic guide to this season from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations for families:
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Step 1: Get That Flu Shot
Yes, even if your kid ānever gets sickā and especially if youāre tired of using up all your sick days by mid-January. The AAP recommends the flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. Itās safe, itās effective, and noāyou canāt get the flu from the shot. (We know, weāve all heard that rumor at preschool pickup.)
š· Step 2: Know the Signs
Understanding the Flu: Symptoms and Prevention
Flu tends to hit fast and hardāthink:
- Sudden fever
- Chills
- Body aches
- Fatigue
- Cough and sore throat
š” Step 3: When to Keep Kids Home
If your child has a fever, is clearly not themselves, or sounds like a tiny dragon when coughingākeep them home. 24 hours fever-free (without meds) is the rule before they can return to school or daycare.
š§¼ Step 4: Be a Germ-Fighting Ninja
- Teach kids to sneeze into their elbow (not your face š )
- Wash hands like you just peeled oranges and need to put contacts in
- Wipe surfaces, and yesā¦ doorknobs too. (We know, itās always the doorknobs.
Flu season can be rough, but with some prevention and early action, we can keep our kiddos healthier (and maybe even avoid the midnight urgent care run).
Read more about Infectious diseases here on our site: Patient Education or here: Overview of Infectious Diseases.
Stay well, parents! š