Flu warning from the Pediatrician: “Do not send your children with flu to school or kindergarten”

Acıbadem Ankara Hospital Child Health and Diseases Specialist Dr. Derya Bekteş advised that children with influenza should not be sent to school or kindergarten.

Acıbadem Ankara Hospital Pediatrician Dr. Derya Bekteş emphasized that flu is an infection caused by influenza A and B viruses and said, “Muscle, head and throat pain, chills, fever up to 40 degrees, runny nose, cough, diarrhea and vomiting are observed. It heals between a few days and 2 weeks. It is contagious 1 day before the onset of the complaint and until 5-7 days after getting sick.”

“Do not send your children with flu to school or kindergarten”

Stating that people with the flu spread the virus through sneezing and coughing, Dr. Bekteş said, “We inhale the virus through the mouth or nose. We also get it when we touch the places that the person with the flu touches and touch our mouth or nose with our hands. It is even risky for the patient to enter and leave a closed environment. For example, elevators are very risky for this reason,” she said.

Pointing out that the ways of protection should be well known, Dr. Bekteş stated that the first condition for protection is to stay away from contact with patients and crowded environments. He also stated that it is very important to keep the body resistance high; for this, it is necessary to sleep regularly, avoid stress, consume plenty of fresh fruits, dress in a way that does not sweat, wash hands frequently, use masks and increase the humidity of the environment.

He also underlined that children with influenza should not be sent to school or kindergarten.

“Flu and the common cold are different from each other”

Pointing out that the flu differs from the common cold, Dr. Bekteş said, “While more than 200 viruses cause colds, influenza A and B cause flu. While high fever, headache, weakness and cough are more severe in flu, sore throat is rare. The diagnosis is made by taking a throat swab test. Antibiotics are effective on bacteria but not on viruses. When the diagnosis is made within the first 48 hours, antiviral treatment is given. Treatment is supportive. If necessary, paracetamol-ibuprofen can be used to reduce fever and relieve muscle pain,” she said.

“The flu vaccine should be given every year”

Underlining that one of the most effective methods to protect against influenza is to get a flu vaccine, Dr. Bekteş said, “Having the flu once does not provide immunity against the disease. It should be administered by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection and should be shaken well before the procedure. It is an inactivated or dead vaccine. It is prepared every year against the flu viruses expected to be seen in winter. The flu virus changes every year. A new vaccine should be given every year. The vaccine is well tolerated. There are usually no side effects. Pain at the vaccination site may rarely occur. After vaccination, flu-like complaints may occur, which are rarely mild and pass spontaneously within 1-2 days. Systemic and local effects disappear within 24-48 hours.”

Stating that flu is usually seen between October and May, Dr. Bekteş recommended that the vaccine should be administered at least two weeks before the flu cases start to occur, that is, in September and October.

He added that it takes 2 weeks for the vaccine to become protective and that its protective effect lasts between 6 and 8 months. He emphasized that the vaccine reduces the rate of serious flu by 75 percent and protects against severe illness and hospitalization.

“Risk groups should not neglect”

Dr. Bekteş answered the question about who the vaccine is suitable for as follows:

“Everyone from 6 months of age should get the flu vaccine. Children between 6 months and 5 years of age, pregnant women after the first 3 months, breastfeeding mothers can also be vaccinated without any worries. In addition, there are groups at risk; people with suppressed immune systems, healthcare workers, the elderly; patients with asthma, diabetes, heart, kidney disease, neurological disease, cancer, organ and bone marrow transplantation, patients with various chronic diseases, and people living in the same house with them and caregivers should also get the vaccine.”

Underlining that even children who are not in the risk group should be vaccinated, Dr. Bekteş said, “Mild upper respiratory tract infection does not prevent vaccination. Sometimes it is not clear whether the disease is influenza or not. When in doubt, even if the person who has had influenza is vaccinated, no side effects occur. If the vaccine is given while pregnant, the baby is protected by the antibodies it receives in the womb for a few months until the time it will be vaccinated after birth.”

“The person who has the flu does not need to be vaccinated.”

Mentioning that babies under 6 months do not need vaccination because they are protected by breast milk, Dr. Bekteş said, “Pregnant women in their first 3 months can get the flu vaccine if their doctor determines that it is absolutely necessary. In addition, those with severe egg allergy should also consult allergy specialists. There are also disease groups for which the vaccine is contraindicated. Those who have had allergic reactions in the past, those who have a history of gullian-barre syndrome within 6 weeks following influenza vaccination, and children with febrile moderate-heavy illness may have drawbacks.”

She explained that a person who has had the flu in the same year before vaccination is already immune to the virus and does not need to be vaccinated that year.

Vaccine doses are important

Dr. Bekteş stated that if children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years have not been vaccinated before, a half dose (0.25 ml) and a second dose 4 weeks later; if it was done last year, a single or two doses are sufficient under the age of 3 years; if it has not been done before, a full dose (0.5 ml) should be administered at 4-week intervals between the ages of 3-8 years.

Stating that a single and full dose will be sufficient for those over 9 years of age, Dr. Bekteş warned that if a single dose is administered where 2 doses should be administered, there will be no or little protection.

Stating that parents ask whether the vaccine contains the mercury-based preservative thimerosal, Dr. Bekteş said, “This is a substance added to multi-dose vaccines to prevent the transmission of microorganisms. Single dose vaccines do not contain this. In addition, scientific studies have not reported any other harmful effects of this substance other than local swelling and redness.”