Want to know what’s keeping us in the office from sun up until well after sundown these days”
Many, many (I mean MANY!!!) sick children with flu like symptoms. Some have fever. Others are coughing and sneezing. Still others are vomiting and have diarrhea. Most have a combination of all of these. While people often think of flu (influenza) as no big deal, it can make you feel miserable, and even lead to serious complications like pneumonia and bronchitis.
You don’t need us to tell you that this is a particularly active and aggressive flu season. Just turn on the news, scan social media, or listen to the coughs, sneezes, and complaints from friends and colleagues around you. Not everything you read and hear may be true, so be sure to check with us to make sure you’re getting the facts rather than the myths about flu. But one thing is for sure – hospitals are overflowing with children and adults sick with flu, and flu-related deaths are being reported. Across the country, schools are closing because of high absentee rates and large numbers of sick students and teachers.
While we haven’t heard about school closures locally, we’re hearing stories of flu spreading throughout classrooms and work places. Just today a mom told us that at the beginning of the week, two children in her child’s class were out with the flu. By the end of the week, ten kids were home with flu.
While our flu vaccines are far from perfect, they are the best way to prevent getting sick from the flu, and it is not too late to get one, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D. Since the flu season could last well into March or April, there’s still plenty of time for it to make a difference.
That’s the good news. It’s not too late to reduce your children’s risk by making sure they get a flu shot.
Although Weiss Pediatric Care has run out of their seasonal allotment of flu vaccine, the Sarasota County Health Department has plenty on hand. You can walk into their clinics located at 2200 Ringling Boulevard or 1750 17th Street, or call 941-861-2900 and ask for “Immunizations” to make an appointment.
Our flu vaccine is already on order for the 2018-2019 season and will be arriving in late August. Be sure to mark your calendar to be well prepared and to keep your family protected.
For more information about flu, check out Dr. Weiss’s answers to commonly asked questions.
Dr. Weiss has been recognized as a Top Doctor in Sarasota for well over a decade. He is also Family Living Magazine’s Readers Choice for Pediatrician.
If you’re not already part of the Weiss Pediatric Care family, we’d love to meet you.
Stop by to say hi or give us a call at 941-552-8341 to schedule a complimentary
Get Acquainted or Prenatal visit.