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Why Caregivers of Young Children Should Get a Flu Shot
Aug 25, 2022
Flu vaccinations help your body fight off the flu. Getting a flu shot allows your body to develop antibodies by introducing a weakened or dead flu virus cell into your body. Your immune system then works to develop antibodies to ward off the weakened or dead flu cells. This allows you to develop antibodies without feeling dramatically affected by the virus.
Vaccinating yourself and your children helps reduce the likelihood of developing the flu, since you already have antibodies to kill any flu cells that enter your body. It also reduces the chances that you can spread flu to others since your body can handle the flu virus much more effectively and quickly. In the event that you do catch the flu, your symptoms will likely be much less severe than if you had not received the flu shot.
Protect the Young Children in Your Care
Children younger than five years, especially those under the age of two, do not have fully developed immune systems. They are therefore at a higher risk of developing flu-related complications if they get sick. Every year, thousands of babies are hospitalized or go to an urgent care center because of flu-related complications. According to the CDC, children may experience the following flu-related complications:
- Dehydration
- Brain Dysfunction
- Sinus Problems
- Ear Infections
- Worsening of Long-Term Medical Conditions like Asthma
- Pneumonia
The CDC advises that children older than six months should receive a flu vaccine every year to reduce their risk of developing flu illness, as well as complications that can lead to hospitalization or worse. If you care for a young child, you can protect them further by getting the vaccine yourself. You can also take everyday preventive actions by avoiding contact with sick people as much as possible, regularly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that you frequently touch, and washing your hands often.
If you do happen to get sick with the flu, avoid contact with the young children in your care as much as possible. If it's not possible to completely avoid contact, take precautions to minimize risk. Remember that the flu spreads through droplets when you sneeze, cough, or talk. It's also possible to spread the flu if someone touches a surface that has flu virus on it and then touches their own mouth, nose, or eyes. Before engaging in any activity that takes you within six feet of the child in your care, wash and dry your hands thoroughly. Cover your nose when sneezing or coughing and dispose of it immediately.
Your health care provider can offer more information on flu prevention, vaccination, and management. If you care for young children, consult a professional to learn about the steps you can take to minimize risk, including getting your yearly flu shot.
Contact Our Urgent Care Center Today!
Do you take care of young children under the age of five? If so, consider getting your annual flu vaccine to protect them from potentially deadly flu-related complications. A flu vaccine is a simple but effective measure to guard against the flu. Protecting yourself with the vaccine reduces the likelihood you will contract the virus and spread it to other, more vulnerable people. Even if you do not care for young children, you still should get the seasonal flu vaccine
because of the protection it provides to you and everyone you encounter.
WellNow Health offers vaccinations for the flu, COVID-19, and other illnesses at our facility serving the Houston and Dickinson, TX area. Contact us today to schedule your flu shot appointment!
The Department of Transportation requires individuals to undergo a specialized physical prior to their hiring. Learn about DOT Physical Examinations today!
WellNow Health can help you identify seasonal allergies versus COVID-19 symptoms. We offer online doctor visits and urgent care services in the Houston, TX area. Call our team today!
WellNow Health will help you to distinguish between flu symptoms and COVID-19 symptoms. We offer virtual urgent care services in the Houston, TX region.
When you get the flu shot, not only are you protecting yourself, but you are protecting others from getting the flu. This year, it's especially important to get the flu shot as we are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The flu and COVID-19 are similar in that they are both respiratory illnesses. However, they are very different illnesses. The flu shot will not protect you from contracting COVID-19 , but it will help reduce your chances of getting the flu, ending up in the hospital, and needing to be hospitalized. Hospitals already have a lack of medical supplies due to the COVID-19 pandemic and if we all do our part to protect ourselves from the flu, we can help reduce the strain on health care facilities and conserve already limited supplies. There are a lot of misconceptions floating around about the flu shot and it's important to clear these up. Many people believe they will be more at risk of contracting COVID-19 if they get the flu shot. This is not true since both illnesses are different and one illness does not make you susceptible to contracting the other. On the other hand, many people think getting the flu shot will help reduce their chances of getting COVID-19. This is also incorrect as each illness behaves differently.
The coronavirus has been sweeping the nation and the news since late last year and for good reason. More than 93,000 cases have been recorded and more than 3,200 deaths attributed to the disease globally. As of today, officials in the United States have confirmed nine deaths and more than 100 cases.
