How to keep the flu from spreading in your family

Having a sick child at home is no fun. It's especially distressing for families with multiple children facing this year's widespread seasonal flu outbreak.

The predominance of more severe strains of influenza this season — H3N2 viruses — has been a cause of concern for many, including Leslie Cuevas of Wheaton, the mother of two and a physical therapist who works daily with young children at Easter Seals DuPage & Fox Valley, Villa Park.

When Cuevas' 7-year-old daughter, Emma, was diagnosed with the flu in December, she immediately worried 4-year-old son Ryan, who was born prematurely and diagnosed with reactive airway disease before his first birthday, would follow suit.

“Ryan does get sick very often and very easily, while Emma rarely is under the weather,” says Cuevas, who says both children received flu shots this fall. “I knew it was very unusual when Emma came to me one evening wanting to go to bed early because she was so tired.”

Suspecting something was wrong, Cuevas took her first-grader's temperature at 7 p.m. and was relieved it was normal. Within an hour it had spiked to 102.8.

“Tylenol helped the temp go down, but by morning it had crept back up to 101.8 and I called the doctor,” reports Cuevas, who says seven children in Emma's Emerson Elementary School class in Wheaton had recently been diagnosed with the flu.

By later that day Emma and her family were at the doctor's office where she was diagnosed with the flu and given a prescription for liquid Tamiflu, an antiviral drug used to treat flu illness and prevent serious flu complications.

“The pharmacist told us we were lucky we needed the liquid form since he was out of the pills,” states Cuevas, who says Emma is normally very active and loves to play outside, sing, draw, paint and tumble. “She was tired, had lots of aches and had very little appetite but wanted to drink lots of water during her illness.”

Cuevas says the doctor also cautioned her that her son also was at risk. Given his history with respiratory issues, he asked that I call as soon as possible with any symptoms. Within a week, she made that call to report Ryan's fever, along with severe cough, runny nose and sneezing. The antiviral prescription along with antibiotics for sinus and respiratory infections helped Ryan, who attends the Lily Garden Child Development Center in Villa Park, along the road to recovery.

The Cuevas' family experience isn't unique, says Dr. Todd Zimmerman, medical director of pediatric emergency medicine at Alexian Brothers Medical Center, Elk Grove Village, and St. Alexius Medical Center, Hoffman Estates.

“We're seeing more acutely and seriously ill patients this year due to the widespread flu virus,” states Zimmerman, who says volume is way up at the Alexian Brothers' EmergiKids pediatric emergency care program, which typically treats 18,000 children and teens annually at both sites.

Because the H3N2 strain is associated with more severe illness, Zimmerman cautions that those over 65 and under 5 are at great risk, and youngsters under 2 years of age at greatest risk for complications from the flu's coughing and respiratory involvement.

Each year, an average of 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized because of flu-related complications. Influenza causes more hospitalizations among young children than any other vaccine-preventable disease.

When is flu season going to be over?

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), flu activity most commonly peaks in the U.S. between December and February. However, seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and continue to occur as late as May. Experts say the timing of flu is very unpredictable and can vary in different parts of the country and from season to season.

“In Illinois, flu is still considered widespread,” reports Zimmerman, who says despite receiving flu vaccines, many of those immunized aren't fully protected since this year's virus is a “drift variant” that is not covered in the current flu vaccine.

If one child gets sick, does everyone?

One of the most common questions from parents, he says, involves the risk of flu spreading to other family members.

“Very likely,” he states. “Although we don't treat other children until they are actually sick. There is a good chance that the virus will spread as we've seen in classrooms and among family members across the suburbs.”

Zimmerman does note that in some cases involving very young children with chronic illness, preventive treatment may be recommended. Treating high risk people or those who are very sick with flu with antiviral drugs is important, he says, and can mean the difference between having a milder illness instead of very serious illness that could result in a hospital stay.

So what's a parent to do?

“There's no magic pill or magic bullet to ensure you don't get the flu, but everyday preventive actions like staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs can help,” Zimmerman says. “If you are sick with flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading flu to others.”

Children younger than 6 months are at higher risk of serious flu complications, but are too young to get a flu vaccine. Because of this, safeguarding them from flu is especially important.

Prevention: Go on the offense

The best defense from getting the flu is a good offense, says Zimmerman, who says successfully preventing the spread of germs at home involves upfront education, practice and persistence.

Handwashing:

“It's never too late to teach your kids good hand-washing technique,” says Zimmerman, who stresses the importance of using soap and keeping hands under water for 20 seconds. “Even toddlers can become adept at helping to prevent the spread of germs by simply washing their hands before eating and helping in the kitchen, and after sneezing, using the bathroom, playing with the dog or coming in from outside play.”

Parents, too, need to step up their own hand-washing when they are sick or caring for a sick child.

Get the shot:

An annual seasonal flu vaccine for anyone 6 months of age or older is the best way to reduce the chance of getting seasonal flu and lessen chances you will spread it to others, according to the CDC website.

People should begin getting vaccinated soon after flu vaccine becomes available each year, ideally by October, to ensure that as many people as possible are protected before flu season begins. However, as long as flu viruses are circulating in the community, they say it's not too late to get vaccinated.

Keep germs at bay:

Other simple steps to help stop germs in their tracks, according to Zimmerman, involve teaching little ones to sneeze into their sleeve instead of their hands and forbidding the sharing of eating utensils, cups, toothbrushes, washcloths and towels, all of which can lead to spread of upper respiratory infections.

Go disposable:

Stock the bathroom with disposable paper cups, tissues and disposable paper towels for hand drying. While germs don't live on towels long, they can be around long enough to make healthy kids sick.

Disinfect, but wisely:

Disinfect surfaces in your home, but focus on things your child has touched including door knobs, tables, chairs and banisters.

Clean, clean, clean:

Once the symptoms have subsided, don't forget to launder the stuffed animals, wash toys and replace toothbrushes.