LeafSpring School’s Health Center Can Accommodate Your Children During Flu Season
The temperature is getting colder and the leaves are beginning to change color. Between the pumpkin patches, apple pies and warming up by a cozy bonfire, this is absolutely my favorite time of year. With the change of season, however, also comes illnesses. And worst among them this time of year is the flu.
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a serious illness that can lead to hospitalization and even death. According to the Centers for Disease Control, this year it is estimated that five to 20 percent of the United States population will be affected by the flu. The flu attacks the lungs, nose and throat, and symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, congestion, runny nose, headaches and fatigue. Young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with chronic disease or weak immune systems are at especially high risk and are highly encouraged to get the flu shot if they are able.
According to the CDC, the 2017-2018 flu season was one of the worst on record. A total of more than 200,000 people were hospitalized due to symptoms related to the flu virus and between 3,000 and 49,000 people died. It is estimated that among those numbers were more than 180 children. These numbers are frightening, but they can be prevented. The CDC estimates that 80 percent of those children who died last year were not vaccinated against the flu.
The Center for Disease Control recommends that children ages 6 months and older get a flu vaccine every year. The vaccine needs to be administered as soon as it becomes available since it takes up to two weeks to reach full effectiveness. The vaccine can be given at doctor’s offices, walk-in clinics and even most pharmacies, often at no cost to you. For specific concerns or questions, contact your physician.
If illness strikes your household this flu season, remember that The Get Well place is here to help. You don’t have to be enrolled in LeafSpring School to use the Get Well Place. Any working parent with a mildly ill child can bring their child here for expert care in a comfortable, child-friendly environment – whether just for a few hours or for a full day.
The Get Well Place is staffed with Pediatric Registered Nurses to take care of your little one when you aren’t able to. The Get Well Place is also architecturally separated from the rest of the school and can accommodate various illnesses. After a quick assessment by our nurse, children are assigned to care rooms based on diagnoses or symptom profiles to avoid cross-contamination. There, they’re given age-appropriate activities based on our curriculum as their health is monitored throughout the day.
Each child is pampered and given just the care they need to get them feeling better and back to normal in no time. Please call the Get Well Place at Geist if you want to set up a tour or if you have any questions. Ask us about our membership program, a great way to save money on fees. We look forward to serving you this flu season.
