Preparing for This Year’s Flu Season

As influenza (flu) season approaches once again, the best thing you can do to help protect your family from the virus is to receive the flu vaccine. However, you also can take a number of other preventive steps to decrease your family’s risk of infection.

The flu is a virus that causes an infection in the respiratory system, which includes the nose, throat, bronchi and windpipe. Symptoms of the flu are very similar to those associated with the common cold but typically develop more quickly and include more muscle pain, chills and headaches.

“Aside from receiving a flu vaccine, the best ways to prevent the seasonal flu virus are to be vigilant about washing your hands and covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your arm rather than your hands,” said Roberta Smith, RN, MSPH, Infection Control Nurse in the department of epidemiology at Children's Hospital Colorado. “Keeping your child home from school if he or she exhibits flu symptoms also will help control the spread of the virus. Children should not return to school until a fever has been absent for at least 24 hours.”

Further preventive measures include avoiding touching your eyes, mouth and nose whenever possible and keeping your home clean and sanitized. The flu virus is spread through droplets expelled from the airway, so cleanliness will help combat transmission of the virus.

Recognizing the Symptoms

Symptoms of seasonal flu include:

“If your child contracts the flu virus this season, be sure to immediately contact your pediatrician or family doctor if your child’s breathing changes. These changes may include difficulty breathing, rapid breathing and wheezing,” said Joan Bothner, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Children's Hospital Colorado.

H1N1 Concerns

Many parents have lingering concerns about the H1N1 virus — or swine flu — and its effects. However, monitoring of the new virus suggests that its overall impact does not appear to be severe as long as patients receive effective treatment, and safeguards against it are much like those recommended for seasonal flu. If your child begins having flu-like symptoms, talk with a physician to develop an appropriate treatment plan for your child. (See page 3 for more information.)

Flu Vaccinations

Vaccinations are available for both seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus. Discuss what is best for your family with your pediatrician or family physician.

For more information about preparing for this year’s flu season, watch an interview with one of Children's Hospital Colorado’s infection control nurses. Visit www.childrenscolorado.org  and click on “Children’s Expert Answers Your H1N1 Questions.”