Flu & Flu-like Illness is Trending in Florida: How to Protect Your Kids

Flu season in Florida for 2020 could be the most distressing especially for parents with kids. The state's health agency stated in an advisory that children who have not been given a flu shot raise their risk of dying from the disease by 60 percent. If your child hasn’t been vaccinated yet, you can go to urgent care, Forest Hill for a flu shot.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, children, especially those under five years old, are vulnerable to flu complications. They may develop other conditions like ear infection, sinus problems, dehydration, pneumonia, or brain dysfunction if they do not get the proper treatment and protection.

Here are some ways to protect your kids during flu season:

1. Get your child vaccinated. 

It goes without saying that the most important protection you can give your children is to get them a flu shot. The vaccine against influenza can be given to children above six months of age.

Experts in urgent care, Forest Hill remind us that, while flu shots aren't 100 percent effective and your child could still fall ill, the vaccine will help make the symptoms and the duration of the condition less severe. You're still protecting your child from developing complications, including the worst case potential of a fatal outcome. 

You still have enough time to get the flu shots since flu season peaks in January or February. You can always get a flu shot in Urgent Care of Palm Beach Gardens.

2. Teach your child good hygiene.

• Washing hands. The flu virus can easily spread because of the germs on one's hand; thus it's important to show your child how to scrub with soap for at least 20 seconds before washing it away with water.
• Covering mouth or nose. Also, teach your children how to use tissues if they have a cough or a cold. If possible, let them wear face masks so that they won't spread the virus. 

3. Double up on Vitamin C.

Vitamin C can boost the immune system that fights viruses and bacteria. Children under three years old need 15 milligrams of Vitamin C a day while those from four to 10 need about 25 milligrams.

They can naturally get Vitamin C by eating a lot of fruits and vegetables like:

• Orange 
• Guava
• Broccoli
• Strawberries
• Cantaloupe
• Spinach
• Tomato
• Potato 
• Banana

If your child is a picky eater, you can give Vitamin C supplements. 

Vitamin C is water-soluble so it is flushed when the child urinates, so there is little risk of getting too much of this important vitamin. 

Flu-like Symptoms? Visit Urgent Care of Palm Beach Gardens Walk-in Clinic

If you are experiencing signs and symptoms of the flu, you must seek medical help immediately from doctors in our urgent care clinic, Palm Beach Gardens for proper management.

For your convenience, we have made our services more accessible. Urgent Care of the Palm Beaches has clinics in three convenient locations: Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Springs/Forest Hill and West Palm Beach urgent care. You may schedule an appointment with our doctors online or come over as a walk-in patient. We guarantee you a maximum of 15 minutes waiting time.

The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.