When our children were in preschool, it seemed like they had runny noses from October through April. I’m sure that wasn’t the case, but until children can blow their own noses…well you know what that’s like! There was always a yucky nose that needed tending.
Now that I’m part of a Pediatric practice, I’m realizing that my mommy observation was not far off base. It turns out that kids pick up a lot more than a great education when they go back to school.
With the start of the new school year, our busy summer well-visit season will soon transform as runny noses, tummy aches, and other easily shared illnesses begin to spread from child to child. Most of the illnesses we see are not worrisome and are easily treated at home. But one illness, in particular, can be of grave concern – Influenza, or what we commonly refer to as the flu.
According to the Center for Disease Control, each year about 20,000 children younger than 5 years old are hospitalized from flu complications. In most cases, children who develop the flu will miss school and activities, which inevitably means lost work for parents. In rare cases, even healthy children can die from flu complications. You can read more about Children, The Flu, and Flu Vaccine on The Center for Disease Control’s website.
How can you protect your child and your family against the flu? The most important thing you can you do is get a flu vaccine for yourself and your child.
Weiss Pediatric Care is now scheduling patients for our Saturday flu clinics on three consecutive Saturdays, September 13, 20, and 27, between 8:00 – 11:45 a.m. And because we know that healthy parents are able to care for their children, we’re offering flu vaccinations for our parents for a nominal fee.
Help keep the flu out of your home this year. Please call our office today at 941-552-8341 to make an appointment.
Here’s to a safe and healthy flu season!