By Joseph Muenster, MD, SSM Health pediatrician
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but it is also cold and flu season. From classrooms to offices, holidays parties and department stores, germs are everywhere. Here are some helpful tips to keep your family healthy this holiday season and all winter long.
1. Get your flu vaccine. More than 130 children in the U.S died from the flu last year, half of which were healthy kids with no serious medical problems. Many more became dangerously ill with high fevers, coughs, headaches, body aches and complications like pneumonia and ear infections. The flu vaccine is recommended for most people over the age of 6 months. Children under the age of 5, adults over 65 years old, pregnant and postpartum women and people with chronic conditions such as asthma, lung or heart disease are at the greatest risk of developing serious complications from the flu.
The most common reasons why some people shy away from getting the flu vaccine are concern that it will cause you to get the flu or concern about the effectiveness of the vaccine. You cannot get the flu from the vaccine because it is made of inactivated (“dead”) virus. However, the vaccine takes about two weeks to provide full protection so some patients may coincidentally become sick during that time. Last year, the flu vaccine effectiveness was about 45 percent for all patients, but even higher in kids 6 months – 17 years old at about 60 percent. The good news is that people who get the flu after getting the vaccine typically have a less severe, shorter illness. The vaccine also reduces the risk of severe complications like pneumonia.
2. Teach your children proper handwashing habits. Remind them to use warm water and soap and to scrub for at least 20 seconds (about the amount of time it takes to hum “Happy Birthday” twice) before eating, after going to the bathroom, after blowing their nose/coughing/sneezing and after playing with a pet. Soap and water are best, but hand sanitizers are a good alternative on the go.
3. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetables, drinking milk and plenty of water are keys to keeping your immune system in shape. General pediatric multivitamins are safe, but not necessary in most cases as a healthy diet should provide all the nutrients your child needs.
4. Get plenty of sleep. Healthy sleep is crucial to supporting your immune system. Studies have shown that not getting enough sleep increases your susceptibility to common colds, as well as decreased response to the flu vaccine. Elementary and middle school age children need on average nine to 11 hours of sleep per night Teens typically need eight to 10 hours of sleep per night.
5. Stay home if you have a fever or are feeling under the weather. Unplanned sick days are never convenient for families, but it’s really important that your child gets the rest he or she needs and helps prevent the spread of the illness.
In general, you should keep your child home from school when they have a fever, diarrhea, vomiting or illnesses and rashes like chickenpox, measles or hand, foot and mouth disease. Generally speaking, kids can go to school when the have a mild cold, cough or sore throat. There is a lot of gray area here, though, so call your pediatrician’s office if you are unsure.
Dr. Muenster is board certified in pediatrics and has special medical interest in sports injuries, childhood obesity and primary care. His practice is located on the campus of SSM Health DePaul Hospital at 3440 DePaul Lane, Suite 210, Bridgeton, MO 63044. To schedule an appoint with Dr Muenster, call 314-291-7766 or go to ssmhealth.com.
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