My sister is a new grandmother. She absolutely adores her precious one year old grandson. We all love him too. He's a bright-eyed wonder, a great addition to the family.

When I spoke to her recently she was recovering from a cold. Where did she get it? The toddler had been in day care and sure enough, someone coughed in his direction, or some other means of transmitting the virus, and he brought it home. He recovered more quickly than the adults who came down with it, and no matter how miserable they were, they couldn't blame little Patrick. He was an innocent carrier and didn't even know it.

As any teacher knows, the classroom is a breeding ground for germs. Not only do kids have less than perfect hygiene, but they often come to school as they are coming down with the illness. Parents, with their fingers crossed, hope they can make it through the day without getting the phone call to go pick them up. In the meantime they are trying to figure out who is available to take care of them if they are sick. Who has to take off work, who can they hire, etc. It is a pain all around

During flu season it creates a very real problem. Children often return to school while they are still contagious. Studies by the California Department of Health Services report that adults transmit flu germs for three to five days after symptoms first appear; children about ten days.

According to an article in the LA Times, Sept.29/08: on an average, 200,000 Americans are hospitalized with flu complications each year; during the 2007-2008 flu season 83 children died of flu complications; 22.1% of children ages 6 to 23 months were fully vaccinated last year as were 16.5% of children ages 24 to 59 months. 

Should your children receive flu shots? If yes, then this is the month to get them. If you are unsure:

• Consult your child's pediatrician.
• Do the research. Read the most current literature and become informed.