This year, the flu is hitting early and hard. And for parents, knowing when your child has the flu rather than a cold can be difficult.
Debbie Stoops is an Immunization Coordinator for the York City Bureau of Health. She says children transfer germs much faster than adults. "Kids don't wash their hands. They touch everything and everybody puts things in their mouth. So yeah it just travels so much quicker among kids."
Stoops is all too familiar with flu dangers when it comes to little ones. "Sadly, there have been about 20 deaths in children so far this year. And honestly, you don't have to have a chronic illness or be sick to get flu and possibly die from it. Many people who are perfectly healthy get the flu and die from it. So please, take it seriously."
On average, kids get ten colds a year. She says there are ways to tell if your child is showing signs of that or the flu. "The flu generally starts very quickly, usually a 101 fever or higher, and lots of aches and pains, fatigue that sort of thing."
If your child does come down with the flu, there is no miracle drug, but over the counter drugs like Tylenol or Motrin can help. Stoops says each child is different, and you just have to figure out which one works best. "Some children seem to respond better to one rather than other, so you just have to know your child. I have heard parents say Tylenol doesn't work as well or vice versa."
To reduce spreading the virus, doctors typically don't want a waiting room filled with flu patients. But Stoops says you have to also trust your parenting instincts on that one. "If you feel your child is seriously sick, not eating or drinking, high fever, and are crying but have no tears, then you start to need to worry about it and probably call your doctor."
Debbie Stoops is an Immunization Coordinator for the York City Bureau of Health. She says children transfer germs much faster than adults. "Kids don't wash their hands. They touch everything and everybody puts things in their mouth. So yeah it just travels so much quicker among kids."
Stoops is all too familiar with flu dangers when it comes to little ones. "Sadly, there have been about 20 deaths in children so far this year. And honestly, you don't have to have a chronic illness or be sick to get flu and possibly die from it. Many people who are perfectly healthy get the flu and die from it. So please, take it seriously."
On average, kids get ten colds a year. She says there are ways to tell if your child is showing signs of that or the flu. "The flu generally starts very quickly, usually a 101 fever or higher, and lots of aches and pains, fatigue that sort of thing."
If your child does come down with the flu, there is no miracle drug, but over the counter drugs like Tylenol or Motrin can help. Stoops says each child is different, and you just have to figure out which one works best. "Some children seem to respond better to one rather than other, so you just have to know your child. I have heard parents say Tylenol doesn't work as well or vice versa."
To reduce spreading the virus, doctors typically don't want a waiting room filled with flu patients. But Stoops says you have to also trust your parenting instincts on that one. "If you feel your child is seriously sick, not eating or drinking, high fever, and are crying but have no tears, then you start to need to worry about it and probably call your doctor."