Protect Your Newborn Baby From The Flu

It happens every year. Flu season. The onset of flu season is a worrisome time for most parents since kids seem to love to share germs and spread them around. At best it is a few days of sniffles and sore throats and trips to the pediatrician. At worst it can mean a trip to the emergency room and a stay in the hospital. With a newborn baby in the family, you surely want to be prepared and do what you can to keep your little one safe from catching the flu when it starts making its rounds.

Recently, the recommendation has been made to inoculate children as young as six months against the flu. While that is a choice for individual parents to make, it is still not an option for newborns. Still, there are other, common sense, things you can do to keep your newborn healthy when the flu germs are flying.

What exactly is the flu? The CDC calls the flu a contagious respiratory ailment that is caused by viruses which are known by the name of influenza virus. It affects from 5% to 20% of the population every year. Symptoms include headache, fever, diarrhea, sore throat, dry cough, runny nose, nausea, vomiting and muscle aches. The flu can lead to serious complications such as bacterial pneumonia, sinus infections, ear infections, dehydration and the worsening of already existing chronic illness. These complications more commonly strike the very young, very old, or those with chronic health conditions.

How can you and your newborn avoid the flu? You may want to consider flu shots. While your newborn is too young to receive the shots, if the rest of the family takes the shots, it might prevent the illness from taking root in your home. Therefore it is recommended that siblings, caretakers and parents of newborns take the flu shot each fall, preferably in the months of October or November. The CDC has also recommended that pregnant women take the flu shot as studies indicate that immunization might possibly help to prevent flu in newborns.

One thing is for sure, your newborn will not catch the flu if he is not exposed to the virus to begin with. Therefore it is a good idea to keep your newborn out of crowded public places during the flu season. The flu is primarily spread through the droplets from the respiratory tract of an infected person. In other words it spreads by sneezing and coughing. Avoid close contact with those who are known to be sick and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Also be sure to wash your hands often with soap and water especially before handling your newborn.

If you do come down with the flu, try to minimize your contact with the baby if at all possible. Take care of yourself, rest and take plenty of fluids. Wash your hands often and cover your mouth when around your newborn. Be careful of taking medications if you are breast feeding. In the event that your newborn appears to be coming down with the flu after all your precautions, monitor him closely. Make sure he continues to nurse so he does not get dehydrated. Notify your physician if your newborn refuses to nurse, becomes less responsive, has difficulty breathing, or has an elevated temperature.

Influenza can be a serious matter for newborns and a cause for concern for their parents. Therefore, it is best to prevent your newborn from coming into contact with the flu virus if at all possible. In today's world, that is not always possible, so be prepared as best you can and notify your doctor if you need reassurance about your newborn's condition.

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