Being a parent always comes with struggles and challenges throughout the year, but it can be especially difficult during cold and flu season! The flu can hit your household at any time and can leave your entire family feeling really sick for a few days.

Getting your flu shot early in the season can help protect everyone under your roof from the flu. Your children can even get theirs as well right here at our center.

Stop by AFC Urgent Care Dalton with your family to get your flu shots taken care of, and read on to refresh your memory about the flu season.

How Does the Flu Spread?

The flu spreads from exposure to the influenza virus, and that can happen virtually anywhere at this time of the year. Work, school, community events or even the bus are common locations to come into contact with it. If you or your child is exposed to the virus, symptoms of illness can start anywhere from two to four days afterward.

Children are listed in the category of people at a higher risk of severe infection from influenza. Since their airways and breathing passages are so much smaller than adults, any sort of inflammation can pose serious respiratory troubles. Keep a close eye on how your child is looking and feeling and seek medical attention at any sign of respiratory distress.

Flu Symptoms in Children

• Fever that appears suddenly
• Runny nose/congestion
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Body aches or chills

How Do You Treat the Flu?

It varies from child to child, but most kids will feel better anywhere between three to five days. Since there is no quick treatment for viral infections, rest and hydration will be the best way for your child to feel better.

If your child has not been vaccinated yet against the flu, do so as soon as he or she is feeling better. Even if you already had the flu this season, you could get sick with another strain later on. Anyone who is over the age of 6 months is eligible, so come by any day of the week to get it taken care of.

Keep Your Child Healthy This Year

• Schedule his or her annual flu shot.
• Teach proper handwashing, and encourage it often.
• Show how to cover coughs and sneezes,
• Serve healthy meals, and encourage drinking water,
• Make sleep a priority.

If you wind up feeling ill this season, we are here for you. Come see us at AFC Urgent Care Dalton.