Washington, DC - With cold and flu season already affecting many areas of the United States, the not-for-profit National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) announced the launch of its Flu-Fighting Tool Kit for Parents. The tool kit provides comprehensive information and tips for parents on how to curb the spread of seasonal influenza, a serious, yet often underestimated illness that can be particularly harmful for children and the elderly.
Nearly 200,000 Americans who get the flu require hospitalization, and an estimated 36,000 die every year. Certain groups, such as children, the elderly, or those with a chronic disease, are particularly vulnerable to contracting the virus and developing serious complications, including pneumonia and even death.
Children and Influenza: A Perfect Storm
Children are one of the major carriers of flu—close contact in school, home and daycare increases children's risk of contracting and spreading the virus. Children often bring the virus home, infecting parents, siblings and grandparents. Families with school-age children have more infections than others, with an average of one-third of family members infected with the flu each year.
"Since children tend to bring the flu into the home, NWHRC created the Flu-Fighting Tool Kit as a guide for parents—providing them with simple measures to help stop the flu in its tracks," said Elizabeth Battaglino Cahill, RN, executive director of the NWHRC. "There is no reason for families to suffer through the flu season and put the brakes on family activities. Vaccination and hand washing are crucial, and parents also need to be aware that there are flu treatments available with a doctor's prescription."
Flu-Fighting Tool Kit for Parents
The tool kit includes the following valuable, flu-fighting information for parents:
- Flu 101: Understanding the Basics
- Symptom Snapshot: Know the Difference Between Cold vs. Flu
- Flu Facts: Top 10 Facts to Know about Flu
- Crash Course on Flu Prevention and Treatment
- 10 Questions to Ask Your Health Care Professional
Breaking the Sick Cycle at Home
Although children are particularly vulnerable to the flu, becoming sick with the virus can happen to anyone, at any age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends three steps to keep the flu at bay, which are highlighted in the new tool kit: flu vaccination, prescription antiviral medications, and good hygiene practices.
To access the NWHRC Flu-Fighting Tool Kit for Parents, visit https://healthywomen.org/flufighting/. The kit was developed with support from Roche.
About NWHRC
The National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC) is the leading independent health information source for women. The non-profit organization develops and distributes up-to-date and objective women's health information based on the latest advances in medical research and practice. NWHRC believes all women should have access to the most trusted and reliable health information.