One of my worst fears in the winter with small children is getting the flu. You’re stuck inside all season where germs are easily spread. So you know if one kid gets it, all of the kids will get it. And it’s going to be a miserable few weeks.
The flu is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death.
This year the H3N2 strand is the worst flu virus going around this year. Unfortunately, this year’s flu vaccine was a poor match for the H3N2, but the The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommends getting a flu vaccination because it still offers some protection.
I wholeheartedly agree.
Because we got the flu.
Just this last week my husband and kids all got the flu. Fevers, coughs, stuffy noses, and some had some stomach issues as well. It was miserable for them. I was lucky enough not to get it! We all had our flu vaccinations and all of them were better after about a week rather than having it drag on and on as it can sometimes do. You all remember swine flu right? I had friends that were sick for weeks!
My family still got some help from their flu vaccination. My son had a follow up appointment for an ear infection while he had the flu. The doctor checked his lungs and said that he was lucky there wasn’t any wheezing. None of my kids had any wheezing and could all breath fine.
I think the flu vaccination helped my kids and we all stayed home, got lots of sleep, and drank lots of fluids. Good health habits are also a good way to protect your family from the flu.
1. Take time to get a flu vaccine every year
There’s still time to get the flu vaccination if you haven’t yet! Go get it right away! And don’t forget to call your doctor if you show symptoms of the flu. Your doctor might prescribe antiviral medicines that can help make the symptoms milder and help prevent hospitalization or even death.
Add flu vaccines to your New Year’s Resolution to be healthier this year!