Ought to Youngsters Nonetheless Get a Flu Shot Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic?
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Whereas mother and father have been specializing in protecting the household secure through the pandemic, the arrival of the brand new college yr brings up the yearly flu shot. COVID-19 continues to be a risk, and a few might overlook even to get the flu shot or have the youngsters get their annual photographs. We chatted with Dr. Beata Dygulska, Pediatrician, and Director of the New child Nursery at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital on the significance of the flu shot throughout COVID-19.
Getting the flu shot throughout COVID-19
Ought to youngsters get the flu shot?
Each youngster over 6 months of age ought to get the flu shot (except for youngsters with earlier anaphylaxis or an excessive response to the vaccine). Ideally, the flu shot needs to be administered as quickly as it’s accessible because it takes just a few weeks for it to succeed in its full effectiveness. Annually youngsters undergo extreme sickness and even demise on account of the flu. Getting your youngster the flu shot is a simple, secure, and efficient solution to maintain them wholesome. This winter will likely be much more difficult as we face the COVID-19 pandemic with signs that overlap with the flu an infection.
How are you going to inform the distinction between the flu and COVID? What are the completely different signs and what ought to a dad or mum do if their youngster comes down with sure signs, e.g., when ought to a dad or mum maintain a toddler residence from college?
Sadly, flu signs are similar to COVID-19 signs. In case your youngster experiences signs like fever, cough, stomach-issues, body-aches, they need to be stored at residence when you get in contact together with your healthcare supplier.
Kids which can be contaminated with COVID-19 are additionally vulnerable to growing MIS-C (Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Kids). MIS-C often develops a number of weeks after the COVID-19 an infection and is a results of an overactive immune system response to the virus. The MIS-C syndrome could be very uncommon, nonetheless, will be life-threatening and requires instant medical consideration. Signs of MIS-C embrace excessive fever, belly ache, respiratory misery, and/or a rash.
Does the flu shot assist with COVID?
That is nonetheless unknown, there’s at present no information that helps the concept the flu shot might assist with COVID-19. Nevertheless, the flu shot continues to be very efficient for the flu and is the most effective accessible choice to maintain your youngster as wholesome as potential through the pandemic.
Is COVID-19 in youngsters completely different than in adults? If sure, how so? Why?
Kids are affected much less often and fewer severely by COVID-19 than adults and whereas a toddler that’s contaminated with COVID-19 might present little to no signs, they will nonetheless be contagious. Latest proof means that youngsters have the identical or doubtlessly larger viral hundreds as adults do of their noses and may unfold the virus simply all through their houses, colleges, camps and many others. That is why handwashing, social distancing and carrying masks is important in stopping the unfold of the virus.
As we head into flu season, is there every other info or steerage you’d prefer to share with mother and father about flu/COVID in youngsters?
Your youngster’s psychological wellbeing is essential on this time. Similar to the remainder of us, youngsters are nervous about themselves, their household, and their mates, so you will need to reassure them that they’re secure. Attempt to keep a traditional routine, discuss to them, hearken to what they should say, give trustworthy and correct info, monitor their conduct and well being, and reassure them about their security and well-being. Train your youngsters on a regular basis actions like handwashing, carrying a masks (over 2 years of age), and social distancing. And don’t overlook the flu shot!
Psst… try Again-to-Faculty Gear for Youngsters within the “New Regular”