Young children are at a higher risk of developing more severe cases of flu and complications can include pneumonia, dehydration, sinus infections and even death. Families can prepare by getting a flu shot, following infection prevention protocols and by keeping kids home when they get sick.
Thomas Murray, MD, Associate Medical Director of Infection Prevention at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, answered some frequently asked questions about flu season.
Is it safe for kids to get the flu shot?
Yes, it’s safe for kids to get the flu shot.
Should all kids get the flu shot?
Any child older than 6 months should get the flu shot. The only reason why a child shouldn’t get the shot is if they’ve had a previous allergy to a flu shot.
Common flu symptoms include sudden onset of high fever, cough, congestion, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea. A flu test can confirm if your child has the flu, and your pediatrician can prescribe antiviral medications.
How do flu symptoms differ from COVID-19 symptoms?
Unfortunately, it’s hard to tell the difference between COVID-19 symptoms and flu symptoms. Nearly all the typical flu symptoms can be present with COVID-19. One main difference is if a child experiences the loss of taste or smell. That’s an indicator they may have COVID-19.
If your child is developing symptoms, contact your pediatrician right away. A COVID-19 or test can confirm if your child has either illness, and if they’re positive for either one, they will need to stay home until they are feeling better and for COVID-19 isolation is no longer required.
When should a child go to the Emergency Department?
Take your child to the Emergency Department if they are having difficulty breathing, if their lips turn blue, if they experience chest pain or seizures, if they’re not alert when they’re awake or have a high fever that doesn’t improve with over-the-counter fever reducers.
Dehydration is another common reason to bring a child to the hospital. If your child is vomiting frequently, or they’re not urinating as frequently as they should, they may be dehydrated.
My child already got a flu shot. What else can I do?
Proper infection prevention measures are an important tool in reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses, including flu. Frequent hand washing and the cleaning of high touch surfaces such as doorknobs and shared toys can keep surfaces from being contaminated. Children should cough into a tissue and dispose of it immediately if they are able. Keep your child away from other children with cough, runny nose, and/or fever. If your child is sick, they need to stay home and stay away from other children until your child is feeling better.
FAQ: Vaccine Reactions
What are some common vaccine reactions?
Any vaccine can cause side effects. The most common are minor injection site reactions, such as pain and swelling at the site of injection. Less common are all other side effects, including systemic symptoms (such as fatigue, fever, muscle aches), and rare side effects such as Guillain Barre syndrome.
How do you treat a reaction to a vaccine?
Generally, treatment is supportive. So if there are muscle aches and injection site pain for example, Tylenol and NSAIDs like ibuprofen can help alleviate symptoms.
What does an allergic reaction look like?
As with any medication or vaccine, there is always a small risk of an allergic reaction. These can range from mild (an itchy rash at the injection site) to severe (anaphylaxis). When allergic reactions occur, they usually happen within minutes of the vaccine. The most severe is anaphylaxis which can include a full body rash with hives, and throat swelling with difficulty breathing. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency.
What should you do if you suspect an adverse vaccine reaction?
Most of the time these are mild, brief, and self-limited that will go away on their own with time. If a symptom is lasting longer than 72 hours then it should be evaluated by a medical provider. If there is concern for an immediate allergic reaction, most clinics will be trained in how to respond to this but it may require medication or medical evaluation.
Are there any vaccines that should not be given together?
Most vaccines can be given together. Vaccines for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV for example, can all be given at the same visit. Sometimes if there is a new vaccine, or a vaccine where someone is unsure if they will have a reaction, that vaccine can be given separately to more accurately monitor the side effects and know which vaccine caused it.
What are some common misconceptions about vaccine reactions?
Any vaccine can cause side effects, but in general these are mild and self-limited.
It is important to remember what is being prevented. A mild vaccine side effect is in almost all cases better than getting the actual disease it is trying to prevent. The benefits of vaccination outweigh the risk in almost all circumstances, but if there is concern then it is important to discuss with your doctor.
Not everyone can get every vaccine. Some vaccines are live, weakened viruses so they cannot be given to people with low immune systems or those who are pregnant. The measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine is a good example of this.
