| Pediatric Associates of Fort Collins |
Flu Clinics
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How can I keep my child from getting the flu?
Good hygiene is the key. Click here for an AAP Info Guide with more specific information.
Who should receive the flu vaccine?
Anyone over 6 months of age can receive the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is recommended
for all children from 6 months to 5 years of age as well as for children with any chronic
medical problems such as asthma (including exercise induced asthma) or diabetes. Family
members of infants <6 months of age and of children that are in the categories listed above
are also recommended to receive the flu vaccine.
When can I bring my child in for the flu vaccine?
Now. It is best to receive the flu shot October through Early December before the flu
season starts. This is especially true for young children who need 2 shots. You can make an
appointment specifically for the flu vaccine, or, alternatively, flu shots may be given during
well child visits and some sick visits. Please inform the person scheduling the appointment if
you would like to have your child receive the vaccine during a sick/well visit. We anticipate
having the flu vaccine available through the early portion of the new year.
Do I need an appointment to have my child vaccinated?
Yes. In order to keep your wait time to a minimum, we ask that you make appointments for
all children that you will be bringing in for the flu vaccine. If you have a flu shot appointment
it is with a nurse, you will not be seeing a Doctor. If you need to see the Doctor please call
and let the receptionist know to make you another time to come in.
How many shots are required?
Adults and children over 9 years of age require 1 shot yearly. Children less than 9 years of
age who have not had the flu shot before or have only had 1 previous dose, will require 2
doses of the flu vaccine yearly. The doses need to be spaced 1 month apart.
Is the flu vaccine safe?
Multiple studies have shown that the flu vaccine is safe and beneficial. The flu vaccine is not
for everyone. According to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the
following groups should not get a flu vaccine before talking with their doctor:
* People who are have a severe allergy to hens' eggs;
* People who have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccine in the past;
* People who previously developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in the 6 weeks
after getting a flu shot; and
* Children less than 6 months of age.
Please call 970-484-4871 for an appointment.
Info Sheet on H1N1/ Seasonal Flu
The new H1 N1 swine flu virus has been in our community since early spring. H1N1 has been the most
common kind of seasonal flu for most recent years. The swine flu is simply a new version of the H1N1 flu.
One of the fears about this virus, is that it may rapidly mutate. Another fear has been that the
character of the outer proteins on the viral surface are so different from what most people have experience
in the past, that baseline immunity is not good within the general population. People older than 60 years of
age have had better immunity to this new strain than younger people. The virus has not actually seemed to
mutate much so far, and the severity of the flu has been similar to most seasonal flu in past years.
The CDC has advised health care professionals and the general population not to panic. The vast majority of
people have mild illness and uneventful recovery. According to the CDC, there is not any reason for most
people who suspect they have the flu to be seen by a physician or to have antiviral treatment. They advise
people who have suspected flu to stay home, unless there are specific health risk factors such as chronic
lung problems, diabetes, or pregnancy, or they are extremely ill, the recognition of which will be covered
below. If a person is ill, but a family would not be concerned except that H1N1 is out there in the
community, then no special worries should exist.
THE FLU TEST: The flu test is only 70% accurate locally. Even if a person is seen in the doctor’s office
and we suspect flu, the patient may not be tested. All of the people staying at home with mild cases will
not be tested. Therefore, there will be a lot of people with flu symptoms which will never be tested for
flu. The State of Colorado has the final say in whether the influenza A positive patients will be tested for
swine flu.
WHEN TO BE SEEN: How do we gauge if a person potentially having the flu is ill enough for concern to be
seen in the office? We worry if there are any signs of dehydration, or if there appears to be alterations in
alertness or function. We also worry if there are signs of respiratory distress. These include: rapid
breathing (more than accountable from fever), nasal flaring, retractions, or anxiety with breathing.
Children under two with fever and flu symptoms are of concern. Therefore children under two years of age,
or those with signs of dehydration or orientation, alertness, or respiratory distress need to be seen by a
doctor.
TREATMENT: Small children under the age of two will most likely receive antiviral treatment if they
appear to be sick regardless of flu testing. Children with the risk factors of asthma, severe developmental
delays, muscle disorders, diabetes, and heart problems will be treated with antiviral medication regardless
of flu testing if flu is suspected. Children in the hospital with flu will be treated as well. Antiviral
treatment needs to be started within 48 hours of onset of symptoms and works best if under 24 hours of
symptoms. Otherwise, the treatment remains supportive: Tylenol or ibuprofen for fever, lots of fluids and
rest. The CDC is not recommending that persons with flu following a normal course receive antiviral
medication. There exists potential for development of resistance to the drug. Another reason to avoid
routine use of antiviral medication is the list of possible side effects of the drugs.
PREVENTION: Prevention with antiviral medication will be on a case by case basis. Those children at very
high risk if they get flu will be treated preventively. Those with lower risk probably will not be treated
that way.
What can be done to protect the family? Washing hands well is the most important thing. Wash before
eating. Wash frequently. Using tissues for runny nose rather than arm or shirts and covering mouth when
coughing are important. Use Purell when washing hands is not possible. Avoid contact with infected people.
Vaccination will lessen the risk of serious disease.
VACCINATION: We encourage all pediatric age children over the age of 6 months to be vaccinated for
both seasonal flu and for the novel H1N1 strain as recommended by infectious disease experts and the
CDC. The seasonal flu vaccine has arrived, and the H1N1 vaccine will probably arrive in early October.
Please check with us in early October regarding the H1N1 vaccine.
Good hygiene is the key. Click here for an AAP Info Guide with more specific information.
Who should receive the flu vaccine?
Anyone over 6 months of age can receive the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is recommended
for all children from 6 months to 5 years of age as well as for children with any chronic
medical problems such as asthma (including exercise induced asthma) or diabetes. Family
members of infants <6 months of age and of children that are in the categories listed above
are also recommended to receive the flu vaccine.
When can I bring my child in for the flu vaccine?
Now. It is best to receive the flu shot October through Early December before the flu
season starts. This is especially true for young children who need 2 shots. You can make an
appointment specifically for the flu vaccine, or, alternatively, flu shots may be given during
well child visits and some sick visits. Please inform the person scheduling the appointment if
you would like to have your child receive the vaccine during a sick/well visit. We anticipate
having the flu vaccine available through the early portion of the new year.
Do I need an appointment to have my child vaccinated?
Yes. In order to keep your wait time to a minimum, we ask that you make appointments for
all children that you will be bringing in for the flu vaccine. If you have a flu shot appointment
it is with a nurse, you will not be seeing a Doctor. If you need to see the Doctor please call
and let the receptionist know to make you another time to come in.
How many shots are required?
Adults and children over 9 years of age require 1 shot yearly. Children less than 9 years of
age who have not had the flu shot before or have only had 1 previous dose, will require 2
doses of the flu vaccine yearly. The doses need to be spaced 1 month apart.
Is the flu vaccine safe?
Multiple studies have shown that the flu vaccine is safe and beneficial. The flu vaccine is not
for everyone. According to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the
following groups should not get a flu vaccine before talking with their doctor:
* People who are have a severe allergy to hens' eggs;
* People who have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccine in the past;
* People who previously developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in the 6 weeks
after getting a flu shot; and
* Children less than 6 months of age.
Please call 970-484-4871 for an appointment.
Info Sheet on H1N1/ Seasonal Flu
The new H1 N1 swine flu virus has been in our community since early spring. H1N1 has been the most
common kind of seasonal flu for most recent years. The swine flu is simply a new version of the H1N1 flu.
One of the fears about this virus, is that it may rapidly mutate. Another fear has been that the
character of the outer proteins on the viral surface are so different from what most people have experience
in the past, that baseline immunity is not good within the general population. People older than 60 years of
age have had better immunity to this new strain than younger people. The virus has not actually seemed to
mutate much so far, and the severity of the flu has been similar to most seasonal flu in past years.
The CDC has advised health care professionals and the general population not to panic. The vast majority of
people have mild illness and uneventful recovery. According to the CDC, there is not any reason for most
people who suspect they have the flu to be seen by a physician or to have antiviral treatment. They advise
people who have suspected flu to stay home, unless there are specific health risk factors such as chronic
lung problems, diabetes, or pregnancy, or they are extremely ill, the recognition of which will be covered
below. If a person is ill, but a family would not be concerned except that H1N1 is out there in the
community, then no special worries should exist.
THE FLU TEST: The flu test is only 70% accurate locally. Even if a person is seen in the doctor’s office
and we suspect flu, the patient may not be tested. All of the people staying at home with mild cases will
not be tested. Therefore, there will be a lot of people with flu symptoms which will never be tested for
flu. The State of Colorado has the final say in whether the influenza A positive patients will be tested for
swine flu.
WHEN TO BE SEEN: How do we gauge if a person potentially having the flu is ill enough for concern to be
seen in the office? We worry if there are any signs of dehydration, or if there appears to be alterations in
alertness or function. We also worry if there are signs of respiratory distress. These include: rapid
breathing (more than accountable from fever), nasal flaring, retractions, or anxiety with breathing.
Children under two with fever and flu symptoms are of concern. Therefore children under two years of age,
or those with signs of dehydration or orientation, alertness, or respiratory distress need to be seen by a
doctor.
TREATMENT: Small children under the age of two will most likely receive antiviral treatment if they
appear to be sick regardless of flu testing. Children with the risk factors of asthma, severe developmental
delays, muscle disorders, diabetes, and heart problems will be treated with antiviral medication regardless
of flu testing if flu is suspected. Children in the hospital with flu will be treated as well. Antiviral
treatment needs to be started within 48 hours of onset of symptoms and works best if under 24 hours of
symptoms. Otherwise, the treatment remains supportive: Tylenol or ibuprofen for fever, lots of fluids and
rest. The CDC is not recommending that persons with flu following a normal course receive antiviral
medication. There exists potential for development of resistance to the drug. Another reason to avoid
routine use of antiviral medication is the list of possible side effects of the drugs.
PREVENTION: Prevention with antiviral medication will be on a case by case basis. Those children at very
high risk if they get flu will be treated preventively. Those with lower risk probably will not be treated
that way.
What can be done to protect the family? Washing hands well is the most important thing. Wash before
eating. Wash frequently. Using tissues for runny nose rather than arm or shirts and covering mouth when
coughing are important. Use Purell when washing hands is not possible. Avoid contact with infected people.
Vaccination will lessen the risk of serious disease.
VACCINATION: We encourage all pediatric age children over the age of 6 months to be vaccinated for
both seasonal flu and for the novel H1N1 strain as recommended by infectious disease experts and the
CDC. The seasonal flu vaccine has arrived, and the H1N1 vaccine will probably arrive in early October.
Please check with us in early October regarding the H1N1 vaccine.
