Flu Season Has Arrived

It is tragic news that 3 people in Connecticut have already died in connection with the flu this season, with over 500 suffering from the illness at this point. More and more hospitals and clinics are seeing emergency visits continue to increase.

With the flu season spanning between November and March, the infections will only get worse before they get better.

Watch your child for:
• fever and/or chills
• aching muscles
• cough, dry or with phlegm
• congestion or runny nose
• headache
• general fatigue and lethargy

If your child doesn’t want to eat, is drinking less, and is urinating less, it’s time to visit us. Make an appointment with our ONLINE SCHEDULER or visit our Urgi-Kids. The faster you make an appointment, the less chance your child has to develop serious, life-threatening complications.

While most children will recover from the flu in about two weeks, some will develop complications. Your child could develop a sinus or ear infection. They will also be at risk of pneumonia, inflammation of the heart, brain or muscles, or experience respiratory or kidney failure. When your child has asthma, the flu can cause serious respiratory complications. Your child under the age of 2 is at greater risk of developing complications from the influenza virus.

Don’t take a chance with your child’s health – or your family and friends. Children under the age of 6 months cannot receive the flu vaccine, so getting the rest of your family members vaccinated provides protection for your most fragile family members. If your family members over the age of 6 months have not been vaccinated for the flu, call us today. The flu vaccine can take up to two weeks to become effective. Flu shot appointment times are available in both our Darien and Norwalk offices.

To make an appointment, visit our ONLINE SCHEDULER .  If you don’t see a time or office that works for your family, please call our office at 203-229-2000 and we’ll help you find a convenient appointment.

Remember – we can provide parents/caregivers with a vaccination for $40 at the same time as our patients.
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Note: All vaccines are the injectable type (“Flu Shot”), as the nasal flu vaccines continues to be ineffective and will not be offered this year. SEE AAP INFO HERE.

The AAP and CDC recommends everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season. Vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza. For information on CDC guidelines, click HERE.