It has been in the news that health experts are recommending influenza vaccination for all children. As the symptoms of influenza or flu and COVID-19 overlap, experts believe that the flu shot will help protect children and relieve panic among parents.
The question many parents may have in their mind is ‘What is Influenza or Flu? And why should one consider protecting their child from him?
Here’s what you need to know about the disease and its prevention.
Influenza flu is a highly contagious viral infection that can affect a child’s airways and lungs and is one of the most common respiratory illnesses encountered during the year. Research by John Hopkins suggests that while most babies feel better within a week, others may develop more serious infections that require hospital care and can lead to lung infections (pneumonia). May be which can lead to death as well. Studies suggest that Influenza/Flu in India alone leads to hospitalization of around 1 lakh children under 5 years of age every year.
Anyone can get Influenza/Flu. However, there are specific groups of individuals who are at a higher risk of contracting the disease, including children aged 6 months to 5 years, pregnant women, the elderly 65 years of age and older, health workers and those with diabetes, asthma, cancer, Including persons with diseases like immunosuppression, etc., who need more medical attention.
The virus is mainly spread through droplets released when people with influenza/flu cough, sneeze or talk. Therefore, being close to an infected person increases the risk of contracting the infection. Droplets released into the air can spread up to about 6 feet away and reach other people nearby.
Young children or people with weakened immunity may have a longer infection transmission time, so they may be able to infect others for a longer period of time.
Dealing with runny nose and cough for our kids has become an integral part of our lives today. However, when symptoms such as fever, runny nose and other colds increase, children can move into a more dangerous area of influenza, also known as the flu.