Visions of sugarplums may be dancing in your child’s head during the holidays, but for parents, the joyous season creates a fresh set of worries. In particular, parents in Coeur d’Alene often ask, “Why does my child get sick every year around the holidays?”
Unfortunately, cold and flu season peaks at the same time that local families start hanging stockings by the chimney with care. But it is possible to give your kids—and the entire family—a happy and healthy holiday season. Start with these 7 flu prevention tips for kids from the expert team at Northwest Pediatrics.
1. Learn more about the flu in kids
The first step in flu prevention for kids is understanding the difference between colds and the flu. With a cold, kids tend to develop symptoms slowly, while with the flu, symptoms can appear quickly, sometimes within just a few hours. Symptoms to watch for include:
● A high fever (102℉ or higher)
● Body aches and chills
● Severe, dry cough
● Headache
● Fatigue so bad that your child doesn’t want to do anything
Children ages 5 and younger are still developing their immunity, which puts them at higher risk for serious flu-related complications like dehydration, ear infections, pneumonia, and hospitalizations. Kids also may be at high risk if they have chronic health conditions like diabetes, asthma, or kidney disorders.
2. Vaccinate your kids against the flu
Getting a flu shot is one of the best holiday flu prevention tips for children ages 6 months and older. The vaccine is proven to help reduce the severity of flu in kids and can even prevent children from getting the flu in the first place.
If you missed our “Flu before Boo!” event over Halloween, that’s OK. You can get your child vaccinated at any time during flu season. Just call Northwest Pediatrics at 208- 691-8250 and make an appointment.
3. Wash those hands
Young kids tend to touch everything, which can be a problem during flu season. The influenza virus can survive on hard surfaces for 24 to 48 hours, and if your child touches an infected surface, they may get the flu.
You can’t hold your child’s hand all season long. Instead, you can help prevent the flu in kids by teaching them how to wash their hands properly. Use soap and water for 20 seconds. Have them sing songs like “Baby Shark” or “Happy Birthday” so they know how long they should keep their hands underwater.
Encourage children to wash their hands before and after meals and snacks, after using the bathroom, and after sneezing or coughing. If soap and water aren’t available, you may use alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Also, teach your child to cover their mouth or nose with a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing.
4. Boost their immune system
Adequate sleep, good nutrition, and regular physical activity are all excellent immune system boosts for kids ages 6 and up. Yet achieving this can be challenging for parents, especially with cookies and other sugary treats lining nearly every kitchen countertop in North Idaho during the holiday season.
A few quick tips:
● While kids can get revved up around the holidays, aim to maintain a regular sleep cycle. Ideally, most kids should get between 10 and 12 hours of sleep a night.
● Load up your child’s diet with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, foods with proven disease-fighting properties.
● Encourage regular physical activity. Given the cold weather in North Idaho, this can be challenging. Consider indoor activities like jumping jacks or a room-to room scavenger hunt when it’s too cold to play outdoors.
5. Keep kids at home when they’re sick
Try to limit exposure to large crowds during flu season, which continues into February. If your child shows signs of illness, keep them home from daycare or school until they’re
fully recovered. Doing so will help reduce the risk of them transmitting the flu to other kids or their teachers. If they’re sick during a family get-together over the holidays, try to minimize close contact with other people if possible. And if your child is diagnosed with the flu, keep them home for a week; kids and adults are contagious for up to 7 days after getting the flu.
6. Pack wisely when traveling
Be flu-ready when traveling to see family members and friends over the holiday. Pack alcohol-based hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. If you’re staying in a hotel, a vacation rental, or other places where travelers frequent, wipe down doorknobs, armrests, light switches, and remote controls to keep them germ-free. Also, pack a small go-to kit with tissues and over-the-counter medications.
7. Keep up on regular pediatric well visits
Regular checkups can keep your child well all year long and prevent illnesses like the flu. During a well visit at Northwest Pediatrics, we’ll assess your child’s development, answer your questions, and offer practical advice you can use to enhance your child’s wellness at every stage of their maturity.
What to do if your kid gets the flu
Make sure your child gets plenty of rest. Seek medical help immediately if children show any of these symptoms:
● Trouble breathing or fast breathing
● Symptoms that seem to improve, then return and get worse
● Signs of dehydration, including a dry mouth or fewer wet diapers ● A continued high fever
● Fatigue beyond what is normal
Northwest Pediatrics offers rapid flu tests, so we can diagnose your child at your appointment. Additionally, depending on your child’s age and condition, we can prescribe antiviral medications like oseltamivir (Tamiflu®), which are most effective in the first 48 hours of flu symptoms.
Visit the Best Pediatric Office in North Idaho
A sick child isn’t on anyone’s holiday wish list. But if your kid comes down with the flu or other illnesses, parents can rest assured that they can find the highest quality care at Northwest Pediatric. Ours is the Best Pediatric Office of 2024, as recognized by The
Business Journal of North Idaho. Our team of three pediatric nurse practitioners and friendly staff will greet your family with warmth and treat your child with respect. To make an appointment, call 208-691-8250 today.