HOUSTON – (Nov. 21, 2011)
– As the weather begins to change, Texas Children’s Pediatric
Associates (TCPA) remind families to be cautious to protect against
the flu and common cold. Every year 200,000 children and adults are
hospitalized in the United States due to the influenza virus
infection which also leads to numerous missed days of school and
work. Learn more about TCPA.
The flu and common cold
are both contagious respiratory illnesses and many times it is
difficult to tell the difference between the two. For the most part,
the symptoms associated with the flu are worse and more serious in
nature.
Common symptoms of the flu and common cold are:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Body aches
- Extreme fatigue
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Dr. Pratip Nag, a
pediatrician with
TCPA – Shadow Creek Ranch, suggests the following tips to help
protect families against the common cold and the flu this season.
- Get your flu
vaccination today. According to the CDC, “The 2011-2012 flu
vaccine will protect against the three influenza viruses that
research indicates will be most common during the season. This
includes an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2)
virus and an influenza B virus.”
- Teach children
about, and practice, hygienic infection control. Be sure to
cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, wash hands often with
alcohol based gels and avoid touching your mouth or nose
especially when symptomatic.
- Seek medical care
within the first 24 to 48 hours after the onset of flu symptoms.
Physicians can provide anti-viral medicines to help shorten the
duration of the infection.
For more information and
to get your family’s seasonal flu vaccination make an appointment
with your local pediatrician today. To find the TCPA location
nearest you, visit
texaschildrenspediatrics.org.
About Texas Children's
Hospital
Texas Children's Hospital is committed to a community of healthy
children by providing the finest pediatric patient care, education and
research. Renowned worldwide for its expertise and breakthrough
developments in clinical care and research, Texas Children's is
nationally ranked in all 10 subspecialties in U.S.News & World Report's
list of Best Children's Hospitals. Texas Children's also operates the
nation's largest primary pediatric care network, with more than 40
offices throughout the greater Houston community. Texas Children's has
embarked on a $1.5 billion expansion, Vision 2010, which includes the
Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, a comprehensive
obstetrics facility focusing on high-risk births and a community
hospital in suburban West Houston. For more information on Texas
Children's Hospital, go to
www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news from Texas Children’s
Hospital by visiting the online newsroom and on Twitter at
twitter.com/texaschildrens.
