HEALTH, FITNESS & BEAUTY

Flu Shot Truth Bombs! What Every Boca Mom Needs To Know

Who knew the flu could actually be fun? Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but getting your flu SHOT actually happens to be a blast at local concierge pediatrician Boca VIPediatrics! I recently had the chance to check out their annual “Fall Flu Shot Festival.” With some fun crafts, carnival games, apple cider and even a visit from Doc McStuffins herself, Doctors Chad Rudnick and Paul Gilbert have turned the traditional flu shot into a fun celebration that their VIPs look forward to every year. Basically, your kids are having so much fun, they forget all about their shot phobias! Because no one needs to get the flu this season…

Avoid flu this season with Boca VIPediatrics

Since summer seemed to go on forever this year, here’s a little refresher on what we’re dealing with. Influenza, commonly referred to as the “flu”, is a very common virus that causes respiratory symptoms most often in the winter months. On average, there are between 250,000-500,000 cases of influenza in children every year in the U.S.

Of these children, up to 200,000 will be hospitalized because of influenza or complications from a flu infection.
What. This is why Boca VIPediatrics is such a proponent of the flu shot.
Avoid flu this season with Boca VIPediatrics
Anyone can get the flu this season too. But it turns out that rates of influenza infection are typically highest in school-age children. If you’re reading this, most likely you’re a mom. So this is no bueno.
Groups of children and adults most at risk for flu:
  • Children less than 2 years old.
  • Kids and adults with chronic medical conditions – including asthma or diabetes.
  • Pregnant women.
  • Adults over the age of 65.
  • People who live with or care for someone who is in a high risk group (as above). §  This includes all health care and day care workers.
Influenza is spread via person to person contact (i.e. coughing or sneezing) or from indirect contact with contaminated surfaces. And guess what, the flu incubation period can be anywhere from 1-4 days. Yikes.
How can I protect my family from the flu?
According to Dr. Rudnick, “Since influenza is so prevalent, especially during the winter months, avoiding contact with a person who has the flu (especially for children) is sometimes impossible. Receiving a flu vaccine every year is the best way to protect yourself and your family.”
There are 2 types of flu vaccines: one which is given via a needle injection (inactivated) and one delivered via nasal spray (live-attenuated). However, there are some children and adults who cannot receive a flu vaccine regardless of age.
Ask your doctor or pediatrician if you have any medical condition that  makes it unsafe for you or your child to receive a flu vaccine.
***Protect the infants around you who cannot be vaccinated by getting a vaccine for yourself and encouraging other family members to also get vaccinated.***
You can also help prevent catching the flu this season by:
  • Hand washing frequently with soap and water or alcohol based sanitizer. §  Especially after touching surfaces in crowded/public areas.
  • Avoid close contact with a person who is coughing or sneezing (easier said than done).
  • Avoid touching your eyes and mouth without first washing your hands.
By the way, neither vaccine actually CAUSES the flu. Sure, some mild discomfort can occur, but it’s nothing compared to what the actual flu will feel like. Trust me.

It also takes about 2 weeks for your immune system to make antibodies to fight off an infection caused by influenza. All the more reason to get your flu vaccine early!

Avoid flu this season with Boca VIPediatrics

Sponsored: This post was sponsored by Boca VIPediatrics. All opinions expressed in this blog post are my own and not influenced in any way by the sponsor.  Any statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with provider. Please refer to this site’s Disclosure for more information. I was compensated for this post, but all opinions are mine.

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