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Just when you thought you were on your way to a wonderful holiday season, it hits “influenza mania.” You ask yourself why you didn’t go early in the season to get the flu shot before the lines were seven- to eight-hours long only to hear that you are not at risk. Although, if you get the flu, I guess you were at risk? You must be meant to suffer more than another. Therefore, you will have to wait it out and hope that the influenza virus will look kindly upon you and your family as the Greek gods looked upon the ancients. There has got to be a better way! Now is the time to take a step back and get a new perspective on an old problem. Influenza has been around for years and the vaccine has been helpful in curbing death in people who are at risk. What makes 2004 different from 2003? In previous years, physicians and public health agencies recommended influenza vaccine in people who had increased risk of potential complications. This targeted the elderly with chronic illness, especially chronic lung disease. In recent years, certain children have been identified as higher risk, most secondary to chronic illnesses such as asthma and diabetes but also including infants with lung injury secondary to pre-maturity. People who are in good general health are at low risk for complications even if they do become victims of the dreaded virus. Then why has there been a change over the past few years in the recommendation from the high-risk groups to anyone who wants to receive the vaccine? The most likely reason is the increased availability of the vaccine as well as the very low cost. Prior to the present vaccine contamination mishap, the vaccine was readily available and priced between free to about $5 a dose affordable for most people and available at Sav-on or your local community center. However, with the current shortage, we must roll back from the pre-vaccine abundance era to the more conservative high-risk recommendation. How great is the risk to a child, who is not a member of the high-risk group? It is in short very low. If your child does come down with influenza, he or she will suffer from fever, cough and general body misery but in a few days, a little acetaminophen later and extra fluids, they will get back to regular active life in about a week. If you are a working parent outside of the house, your boss may not be very happy (especially if he gets the flu) but your child will develop natural, life-long immunity never to succumb to that nasty strain again. So what can you do now that might lighten the impact of the flu this year? DON’T PANIC: Use your head and make good decisions rather than go into “panic-mode.” Most of the time, people make very poor decisions if they don’t think before they act. VACCINATE: If your child is included in one of the high-risk groups, get the vaccine! There still is vaccine available for those that meet the Center for Disease Control criteria. DON’T VACCINATE: If your child is healthy, without any risk factors, don’t vaccinate! Don’t seek out black market vaccine or overpriced alternatives. It is just not necessary. Keep your child healthy by good food, plenty of physical activity and enough sleep. AVOID CONTACT: If you do have friends who develop influenza, don’t be afraid to stay away for a few days. It is not necessary to expose your child to something they really don’t need. Hand-washing and antibacterial solutions do work to decrease spread. ALTERNATIVE VACCINE: If your child is in a high-risk group and is over age 5, intranasal vaccine (Tamiflu) is available by prescription. Talk to your doctor if you think your child may be a candidate. ANTIVIRAL MEDICATION: Antiviral medications are available and can be very effective at relieving the symptoms of influenza. Although they can be prescribed for children, these medications are more commonly prescribed for adults. TALK TO YOUR PHYSICIAN: If you have any questions, call your physician to talk about your own child’s situation. You and your child’s physician know your child and your child’s history and medical condition best. As always, the flu season will pass just as the holiday season will pass. As you prepare for gift giving and celebration, try to avoid giving (or receiving) the influenza virus as a holiday present. But if you do, rest, fluids and maybe some chicken soup will help you and your child through the fever, aches and pains. Dr. Clyde Wesp is a pediatrician with Southern Orange County Pediatric Associates with offices in Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Rancho Santa Margarita, Ladera Ranch and San Clemente (Talega) and is affiliated with Saddleback Memorial Medical Center, Mission Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Orange County. He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Memorial Care Physician Society. If you have any questions or comments for Dr. Wesp you can email him at askdrwesp@netscape.net. |
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