By Yatin Shah, MD
I
n uenza, commonly known as
the u
, is a highly contagious viral
infection of the respiratory tract. It
a ects all age groups, though kids tend
to get it more often than adults. Flu
season runs from October to May, with
most cases occurring between late
December and early March.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
The u is often confused with the
common cold, but u symptoms tend
to be more severe than the typical
sneezing and stu ness of a cold.
Symptoms, which usually begin
about two days after exposure to
the virus, can include fever, chills,
headache, muscle aches, dizziness,
loss of appetite, tiredness, cough, sore
throat, runny nose, nausea or vomiting,
weakness, ear pain, and diarrhea.
After ve days, fever and other
symptoms have typically disappeared,
but a cough and weakness may
continue.
All symptoms are usually gone
within a week or two. However, it’s
important to treat the u seriously
because it can lead to pneumonia,
dehydration and other life-threatening
complications, particularly in infants,
senior citizens and people with
long-term health problems.
Yatin Shah, MD,
is
a board-certi ed
pediatrician a liated
with ValleyCare
Medical Foundation.
For information
on ValleyCare
pediatricians, visit
and click on “Find a
Physician.”
For more information,
call the ValleyCare
Flu Hotline at
925-416-6888.
Flu Season
is
AROUND
the
CORNER
INFLUENZAVACCINE
The u vaccine is indeed a good
idea for families. The u shot does
not cause the u and it keeps kids
and parents from getting sick.
Infants younger than 6 months
can’t get the vaccine, but if the
parents and older kids in the
household get it, that will help
protect the baby. This is important
because infants are more at risk for
serious complications from the u.
WHO SHOULD BE IMMUNIZED?
The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) now recommends a
u vaccine for everyone 6 months of age
and older. But it’s especially important
for those in higher-risk groups to be
vaccinated. These include:
w
All kids 6 months through 4 years old
w
Anyone 65 years and older
w
All women who are pregnant, are
considering pregnancy, have recently
given birth or are breastfeeding during
u season
w
Anyone whose immune system is
weakened frommedications or illnesses
(like HIV infection)
w
Residents of long-term care facilities,
such as nursing homes
w
Any adult or child with chronic medical
conditions, such as asthma
w
Kids or teens who take aspirin regularly
and are at risk for developing Reye’s
syndrome if they get the u
w
All health care personnel
w
Caregivers or household contacts of
anyone in a high-risk group (like children
younger than 5 years old, especially
those younger than 6months, and those
with high-risk conditions)
w
Native Americans and Alaskan Natives
ValleyCare.com/maternity | Fall 2014
