Cooler weather means gorgeous leaf colors, snuggly nights in front of the fire, and — less excitingly — getting sick. This fall and winter, most people are taking precautions to fight COVID-19, but it’s also important to remember to protect yourself and your family against the flu. Experts say this year’s flu season could be a doozy, especially for little ones. “I do think we’re going to see a lot more flu this year,” says Dr. Charles “Trey” Williams, a pediatrician at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Midtown Pediatrics in Dilworth.
Last year, flu cases were low thanks to masking mandates and nationwide quarantines as a result of COVID-19. This year, with more people gathering, the numbers have nowhere to go but up.
“The most important way to protect yourself this flu season is getting the flu vaccine,” Dr. Williams says.
The CDC recommends everyone six months and older get a seasonal flu vaccine each year, ideally by the end of October.
When is the best time to get the shot?
“As soon as it’s available,” says Dr. Williams. “It takes your body two weeks to develop antibodies to the flu, so getting it as early as possible will give your body time to build up that protection.” Levine Children’s practices are already administering flu shots. Call your child’s provider’s office to confirm availability and schedule an appointment. Parents can also schedule their child’s flu shot via MyAtriumHealth.
What’s in the Shot?
The flu shot contains an inactivated version of several different strains of the flu virus, selected based on the patterns of flu that are going around in other parts of the world. “You cannot get the flu from the flu shot,” Dr. Williams says. “After you get the shot you may get a fever or achy muscles, but that’s just your immune system doing exactly what it needs to do.”
The shot has been shown to decrease the severity of illness, hospitalizations, and death from the flu. “The shot has been given to billions of people and it’s very safe,” Dr. Williams says. “It can truly protect you and your loved ones.”
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Kids at Risk
Children younger than five (and especially those younger than two) are especially at risk for complications from the flu, according to the CDC. Dr. Williams said young kids who contract the flu are subject to pneumonia, serious dehydration, aggravation of underlying conditions like asthma, and in rare cases, permanent brain damage or even death. “We, unfortunately, do see a fair number of kids die from the flu each year and many of these deaths would’ve been preventable with vaccines,” he says.
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It Might be the Flu
Flu symptoms in children include high-grade fevers, body aches, sore throat, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and general “malaise” or feeling bad. In babies, they may become extremely fussy or irritable. If you suspect your child has the flu, keep them home from school and give them plenty of fluids and rest. “Watch to make sure they’re able to drink fluids and, if they’re a baby, having wet diapers. If you’re worried they’re getting dehydrated, get them to the doctor right away,” Dr. Williams says.
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Tips for Helping your Kid Through the Vaccine Appointment
No kid likes getting a shot, but Dr. Williams has a few tips to make the vaccine appointment as painless as possible — for both parent and child. “Don’t surprise them with the shot at the last minute right before we give it,” he says. “That never ends well.” Instead, Dr. Williams says to talk to your child about what to expect at the appointment well in advance. You could even do a dry run of the appointment at home by pretending to give a shot with a non-sharp object, and have your child do the same thing to you.
“Tell them this is a bad virus that hurts people, but this shot will help protect us and others,” he suggests. “And then have a plan for a fun activity to do afterward like going to get a treat or doing something fun you don’t normally do. That will help distract from the pain and give them something else to focus on.”
Also, if it’s your child’s first flu vaccine ever, don’t be surprised if you’re asked to come back in four weeks for a second shot. “If it’s the first time your kid is getting it, they should get two doses four weeks apart to boost their immune system and make sure it recognizes the flu so it’ll be more effective,” Dr. Williams says.
Make an appointment
Have more questions about the flu shot and how it can help protect your child, your family and the community at large? Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact your pediatrician or schedule your next flu shot via your MyAtriumHealth account. If your child needs a pediatrician, find one at LevineChildrens.org/FindAPediatrician
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Dr. Williams is a board-certified pediatrician at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Midtown Pediatrics and is driven to help children become good stewards of their health and of the world in which they live. He specializes in newborn care, as well as the diagnosis and management of mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He has a clinical interest in integrating natural health approaches into traditional medicine.
He is married with a son. He and his wife are active and enjoy the outdoors, and are strong advocates for being good stewards of the earth. . When not playing outdoors, he and his wife love to travel, explore new restaurants, cook, watch soccer, and spend time with friends.
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