Love hurts: The Centers for Disease Control now recommends that all children aged 6 months to 19 years get an annual flu shot. The vaccine is available to children on a walk-in basis at the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department

Pair vaccine and hygiene to swat the flu bug

By Jennifer Yim
Photo courtesy of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department

With flu season in full swing, local health officials are stressing the importance of preventing the spread of the flu virus. For the first time, federal vaccine recommendations include all school-aged children, a move that has become possible with increasing supplies of influenza vaccine.
The flu leads to more clinic and emergency room visits than any other illness in young children. Influenza is highly contagious; the virus is spread when someone either inhales infected droplets in the air or when someone comes in direct contact with an infected person’s secretions. In order to decrease illnesses, the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department encourages parents to protect their household by vaccinating their children.
“We know that both children and adults can benefit from the flu vaccine,” says Wendy Potter, registered nurse and pediatric clinic manager at the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department. “Children often pass flu germs on to adults, so vaccinating children will likely prevent the flu in more adults.”

How can I protect my family?
Children are among the groups most at risk for developing flu, and they are more likely to spread the infection to others. Studies show that vaccinating children for the flu minimizes the spread of flu to others in the community. A flu vaccine is the best way to protect against the flu. The CDC recommends that all children aged 6 months to 19 get a flu vaccine every fall or winter; those getting a vaccine for the first time need two doses.
There are two types of flu vaccine: the standard flu shot and the nasal spray vaccine. Both vaccines work by causing antibodies to develop in the body. These antibodies provide protection against most flu viruses.
You can also take action around your home to help stop the transmission of flu germs and decrease your family’s risk of getting sick. Teach and use proper hand-washing techniques; wipes or gels with alcohol in them can be used if soap and water are not available. Show your children how to cough and sneeze into the inside of their elbow (rather than into their hand). Use anti-bacterial disinfectant to clean common surfaces such as table- and countertops, toys, door handles and bathroom facilities.

How do I know if my child has the flu?
Knowing the symptoms of the flu will make it easier to determine if your child needs medical care. The key flu symptoms in children include a high fever, chills and shakes, body aches and a dry, hacking cough. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and drinks lots of liquids while recovering. Keep your child at home while the fever lasts. Once the fever is gone, he may return to school or daycare.
Call your child’s pediatrician or local pharmacy to see if they have any flu vaccines available. The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department is offering the flu vaccine to all interested individuals this year, including children older than 6 months. The health department will be offering flu vaccines by appointment for adults, and on a walk-in basis for children at the health department’s pediatric clinics. For more information on the flu and flu vaccine, or to find a health department location near you, call 209-8340 or visit CDC.Gov/Flu/.

Jennifer Yim is the public information officer for the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department.