The former GBS patient should carefully discuss the pros and cons of flu vaccine with his or her doctor. 4 Things to Know If You Think Your Child Has the Flu, Don’t Skip the Flu Shot: Soothe Your Child with These Distraction Techniques, Sign-Up for Our Health e-Hints Newsletter, The Importance of Having a Relationship With Your Child's Pediatrician, Questions to Ask When Choosing a Pediatrician, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Ear, Nose & Throat (Otolaryngology) Services, Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Hematology, Oncology & Blood and Marrow Transplant, Preparing for a Primary Care or Clinic Visit, 700 Children's® – A Blog by Pediatric Experts, Partners For Kids: Pediatric Accountable Care, The location is currently closed. Yes. They may also have difficulty feeding due to congestion, which can lead to dehydration. It's safe. They may decide your child needs to be seen and tested for the flu. If your child gets the flu, be sure to keep a close eye on them and watch for any changes. It’s unlikely you'll redevelop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) symptoms after a flu shot, but it's possible. These can all be signs of serious complications and should be discussed with your healthcare provider right away. Get a flu shot every year; 2019-2020 flu vaccine; Everyone 6 months and older should get the flu shot. Add an extra layer of protection with prevention. Although the vaccine may not always match the flu viruses circulating in the community, the vaccine can still strengthen your baby’s immune system. Most people with egg allergy can get a flu shot. If your prior GBS occurred weeks after a flu vaccine, you should strongly consider avoiding future flu vaccines. We now have solid research showing the vaccine is safe for these babies. If mom is pregnant during flu season, she should get the flu shot before the baby is born. If your child has been sick, seems to recover for a day or two and then suddenly gets sicker, call your healthcare provider. For example, the evidence in the medical literature suggests that less than 5 percent of former GBS patients will experience mild symptoms suggestive of a relapse following vaccination. Single-dose flu vaccinations are now available, and can be requested. How the Flu Affects Babies and Young Children, Ⓒ 2020 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. First of all, your immune system is somewhat compromised during pregnancy, putting you at greater risk of catching the flu — and a more serious case of it at that. Remember that influenza illness is potentially dangerous, and there is some evidence in the medical literature that suggests influenza illness might—although rarely—trigger cases of GBS. However, there are still several ways you can protect them from the flu. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention. If you’ve been pregnant before, remember that a healthy flu-free pregnancy last time is no guarantee you won’t catch flu this time. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. The flu is a serious illness and can be very scary for a young child. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. It can save your baby's life. The flu shot is very effective, but doesn’t prevent every case of flu (though vaccinated people who do end up getting the flu usually get a mild case).
At what age should children have the nasal spray flu vaccine? Access ANCHOR, the intranet for Nationwide Children’s employees. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. For a patient who has had Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), there's no easy answer to the question of whether or not to get the flu vaccine. In addition to the flu shot, everyday precautions can help protect your baby from the flu. Babies under the age of six months cannot get a flu shot. If you have concerns or questions about your baby's health, consult your health care provider.