The Flu

Today's first time parenting tip - If your baby is between 6 - 59 months, get them a flu shot

It's the midst of flu season, and you're wondering if it's necessary to have your infant immunized against the flu. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the CDC say that children 6 - 59 months.

Children with diseases like kidney disease, diabetes, or asthma should get the shot, because influenza could lead to complications in high-risk situations like these. If your infant lives with someone who is over 65, you should also want to give them a flu shot to protect the older family member should your infant come down with it.

The flu shot can reduce the chances of getting the flu by 80%, and if your infant is getting it for the first time, they will get two shots, a month apart, probably in the upper thigh.

If your infant does come down with the flu, here's how you'll know:

• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Dizziness
• Loss of appetite
• Tiredness
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Weakness
• Ear infection
• Diarrhea
• Infants with the flu may simply seem sick all of a sudden or "just don't look right

If you think your infant does have the flu, take them to the pediatrician, because flu in infants can be serious. At home, you can help the symptoms by:

• Drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration
• Get plenty of rest
  
• Take baby tylenol to relieve fever and aches (but do not give aspirin unless your doctor instructs you to do so)
• Dress your infant in layers, they can become very hot or very cold quickly. This way you can dress or undress easily

The flu should be gone in a week or two after it runs the course naturally.

Reference link - Kids Health

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