The flu season is an annual period characterized by an influenza outbreak (flu). It has arrived, and our doctors at Grandville Pediatrics recommend several ways to protect yourself and your child from this contagious disease. The flu is a virus composed of three families: Influenza A, B, and C, where symptoms range from mild to severe. Even though viruses circulate throughout the community all year, the flu season in the U.S. lasts from October to May and usually peaks in February. Many children and adults catch the flu from sick people coughing and sneezing around them. When this is unavoidable, a sick visit at our Grandville, MI office can determine the cause of symptoms, and our pediatrician Dr. Jeffrey Mantia can recommend treatment options.

3 Tips To Keep Your Child Healthy This Flu Season 

To avoid a sick visit in Grandville, MI, this flu season, our doctors advise the following preventative measures to keep your child healthy:

1. Get Vaccinated - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends an annual flu vaccine as the first line of defense for your child and yourself. These vaccinations reduce hospitalizations and the risk of illness, especially for children most prone to disease and those with chronic health conditions.
2. Stop the Spread of Germs - When a child coughs or sneezes, instruct them to cover their mouth and nose. If a child sneezes into a tissue, discard it after use and tell them to wash their hands with soap and water thoroughly for at least 20 seconds. Your child should also avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible. It also helps to sanitize and disinfect surfaces in the home that may have attracted viruses.
3. Limit Contact - If your child contracts the flu, the CDC recommends they stay home for at least 24 hours after a fever subsides unless they require medical attention. Also, avoid close contact with sick people when possible.

Children are at a higher risk of flu complications, which include ear infections, pneumonia, or kidney problems. If your child gets sick, take their temperature and call our office immediately if it's above 100 degrees. Antiviral drug treatment for the flu can mean the distinction between a milder or more harmful illness that may necessitate hospitalization. For more information about flu treatment or to schedule a sick visit in Grandville, MI, with Dr. Jeffrey Mantia and the team at Grandville Pediatrics, call (616) 538-2410.