Sure signs of fall in Utah County include the blaze of magnificent colors in the surrounding mountains, packed football stadiums under the lights on Friday and Saturday nights and myriad homes displaying elaborate Halloween decorations.

Fall being in full swing also signals the arrival of another season that is not nearly as enjoyable but inevitable nonetheless: flu season. With the ongoing presence of RSV, COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, parents should always be mindful of how to distinguish flu symptoms and proactively safeguard their children’s health.

With that in mind, now is the perfect time to start scheduling those flu shot appointments for your children and yourselves. To better understand why that is important, let’s take a look at the flu in general, how to recognize symptoms in your children, exactly why now is the right time for a flu shot, and several other common questions about the virus.

What is the flu?

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. It can cause mild to severe illness — and, sometimes, even death.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, during the 2023-2024 flu season, 70% of children up to 17 years old hospitalized with the flu had at least one underlying health condition, such as asthma, neurologic disease, obesity or cardiovascular disease.

Catching the flu is more dangerous for children than the common cold. Millions of children get sick from the seasonal flu each year, and thousands are hospitalized. Children with the flu typically need medical attention, especially those who are 5 years of age and under.

Common complications for children with the flu include the following:

• Pneumonia.
• Dehydration.
• Worsening of long-term medical problems like heart disease or asthma.
• Brain dysfunction such as encephalopathy.
• Sinus problems and ear infections.

To protect children from the potentially serious effects of the flu, it is crucial for parents and caregivers to take preventive measures. By staying informed and vigilant, we can safeguard our children’s health and lessen the impact of the flu on vulnerable populations.

Recognizing flu symptoms in children

A few overlapping symptoms can make it difficult to tell the flu apart from the common cold and COVID-19. All three will likely be accompanied by coughing and a runny nose. However, with the flu, you will usually see a rapid onset of symptoms, especially fever and fatigue.

Additional telltale flu symptoms, other than those listed above, include the following:

• Headache.
• Muscle aches.
• Sweating and chills.

According to the Mayo Clinic, these symptoms in children may more generally manifest as being fussy or irritable. “Children also are more likely than adults to have ear pain, feel sick to the stomach, vomit or have diarrhea with the flu.”

Why is now the right time for a flu shot?

Now is the best time to get a flu shot because you’re limiting exposure for your children and yourself to the potential of the flu virus and illness, and you have a longer period of time to be immunized against any infection.

It is recommended that even healthy children get a flu shot every year as it helps prevent the severity of flu-like symptoms if they do catch the virus, which hopefully lessens the risk of having to go to the hospital. It’s a protective way to help your kids remain healthy.

Younger children face a greater risk of complications from the flu due to their size and their immune systems being a little immature. Those who are immunocompromised or have other complications like asthma, lung disease or anything that can inhibit their ability to fight off an infection are also at risk of more severe reactions to the flu.

Flu vaccine immunity lasts a full flu season, from October through May, so children will not need a booster unless your child is getting the first vaccine of their life. In that case, it is recommended that they get two shots during their first flu season. Those expecting to get two doses should get the first immediately, as the second needs to be given four weeks later. Your child’s physician will be able to tell you if they need two doses.

Answering additional flu-related questions

Parents often have many questions surrounding flu shots and the flu in general. Here are some of the most common ones:

Can the flu vaccine be given alongside other vaccinations my child might need, such as COVID-19 and other routine immunizations? 

Yes, there’s absolutely no danger in getting the flu vaccine in addition to other vaccines.

What preventative measures beyond vaccination can I take to reduce my child’s risk of getting the flu this season?

The best precaution is good hand hygiene. Help make sure that your children are washing their hands frequently, especially if they’ve been touching their face a lot or wiping a runny nose. In addition to hand washing, avoid people who are feeling ill, and if you are feeling ill yourself, try to avoid going out in crowds and spreading the disease.

What should I do if my child is afraid of needles or has had a bad experience with shots before?

Most kids don’t enjoy getting the vaccines, but I would recommend going to see your pediatrician. At Utah Valley Pediatrics, for example, our staff is really great with kids, and they make it as comfortable as possible to handle it quickly and with as little stress as possible. Also, FluMist — a vaccine that goes in the nose without the use of a needle — is also available for some kids. The most important thing is just that you work with your primary care doctor to make sure everyone feels comfortable.

How does the flu vaccine work?

The flu vaccine works by predicting what the most common strains of the flu might be based on what’s happening around the world. Vaccines, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, are matched as closely as possible to address those strains. They take parts of the flu virus and put that into the vaccine. Then, when it goes into the body, your body recognizes the virus and those pathogens, and you’re already set to fight off the flu virus if you come in contact with it.

Can you get sick from the vaccine itself?

For those people who get sick after taking the vaccine, this usually means that they came in contact with the virus before getting the vaccination. The vaccine itself does not cause you to get the flu. If you have any questions about potential allergies or bad reactions to the flu vaccine, definitely talk to your provider before getting a flu shot.

You can get flu shots in many locations, but I recommend getting them through your normal health care provider, especially for those with preexisting conditions. Getting vaccinated at a doctor’s office allows for direct consultation with a health care professional who can address concerns, manage allergies or assist with any other conditions that might affect the vaccination process. Additionally, health care providers are more likely to ensure accurate documentation of the vaccination, which can be important for medical records and future treatments.

Flu shot appointments are available at all 10 Utah Valley Pediatrics clinics in Utah County now through November. Visit www.uvpediatrics.com/flu-shots/ for more information.

Dr. Jefferie Wilson is a pediatrician at Utah Valley Pediatrics, which serves Utah families in 10 locations throughout Utah Valley.