Flu Shots Aren't a Necessity for Kids

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Category: Flu

Summer is fading, children are back to school, and that means the cold and flu season is fast approaching.  If your child has respiratory problems you might opt for the flu shot.  A flu shot, however, only provides protection for 10% of upper respiratory infections each year.  Vaccination is limited to only a few flu strains, leaving your child totally unprotected for 90% of infections caused by other pathogens.  This is one of the reasons why many children who have a flu shot still get sick.  Time to take preventive measures.

In natural medicine we recognize that to fight these nasty bugs, the best offense is a great defense.  With children we boost their immune systems safely and effortlessly with natural medicines.  Traditionally these medicines are given by injection or taken orally.  Another method proving to be popular is to inhale the medicines.  A nebulizer creates a mist that the children inhale through a mouthpiece or a mask.  It only takes 10 minutes, the medicines get directly into their systems and the kids think it’s fun.

Follow up treatment consists of a weekly ritual of taking small round pellets that melt in your child’s mouth.  No problem with compliance here.  The pellets have a sweet taste, so your children will be asking for them.  The success of these medicines is well documented.  One of the them, Influenzinium, has been shown to be 78% effective in the first year and 85% in the second year of clinical study of 100 patients who experienced the flu in previous winters.  We have been using these medicines in our clinic for many years with great success.

In addition to the above medicines here are a few actions that should be taken to further protect your children.

• Minimize sugar consumption.  This will reduce the burden on their immune systems.  Candy, pop, processed cereals and ice cream are only a few food items that contain lots of sugar.  A can of pop contains 8 teaspoons of sugar.  Just one teaspoon of sugar per day is enough to depress your child’s immune system.  Substitute with fresh fruits and vegetable snacks with a dip.  Children gobble up these good foods if it’s prepared for them, instead of reaching for a sugary snack.
• Keep your child active.  In a time of great dependence upon TV, PlayStation and Computers, get your kids out of the house and doing something active from sports to simple play in the yard.
• Reduce stress.  A lot of activities, i.e. schoolwork, sports, music lessons, etc. are competing for time.  Remember that they are only children.  Take the pressure off yourself and your child by limiting the number of extracurricular activities.

Getting a cold or flu every year does not have to be an annual rite of passage for your children.  When their immune systems get further compromised, additional problems such as ear infections are prone to develop.  Stop this suffering before it begins.  Take preventive action now and keep your children healthy this season.

Call 250-545-0800 now to book an appointment