It's flu season. Is your child vaccinated?

While the spookiness of Halloween is just one night, there is a lot more frightening lingering among us. That's right, folks, it's flu season! A child can be diagnosed with influenza anytime of the year.

The most common misconception surrounding influenza is that it's just another cold virus. Once parents understand the severity of influenza and its complications, they see the benefit of influenza vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends anyone 6 months and older, receive the vaccine, as long as there is no contraindication. A study published in 2017 in the Journal of Pediatrics reviewed by the two-thirds of the world. That last part is important to highlight: even healthy children die from influenza.

Influenza virus can infect the upper respiratory tract (runny noses, cough and sore throat) and the lower airways causing pneumonias. All viruses and bacteria causes inflammatory responses. Influenza, however, can trigger an exaggerated response in the lungs and low blood pressure. Influenza is not just a common cold virus. Even with a mild stroke, children can bear a lot, body aches, headache and sore throat, often making it hard for them to eat and drink.

Another common myth is that the flu vaccine causes the flu. The vaccine is a viral vaccine – there is no way to get the virus from the vaccine. However, it takes two weeks for a protective antibody response, so in the meantime, you could be exposed to the influenza virus and it can make you sick. The best advice is to be vaccinated before the season begins. The CDC recommends being vaccinated by the end of October each year. Common side effects are soreness at the site injection and feeling a sick bit. Remember, the vaccine tricks your child's body into thinking it's going to be safe to protect your child later.

Lastly, you may think that the flu vaccine does not protect against the flu at all. What's the point if so many get the flu anyways? Doctors, however, are quick to negate this theory of thinking. Each year, the vaccine is formulated to attack the strains of the virus mostly likely to circulate. Even in mismatch years when the virus strains in the vaccine do not match those that are circulating, there are still protective effects. Last year, the overall effectiveness was 40 percent, which means that it was reduced to 40 percent. Therefore, if they were exposed to the influenza virus, they would have been vaccinated.

It may not seem like much, a flip of a coin even. However, last year, 180 children died from influenza. Out of those who died, 144 were not vaccinated. It is certain that the flu vaccine would have prevented the complications associated with influenza in children. During the 2016-17 season, it was estimated that 5.3 million cases of influenza and 85,000 hospitalizations were vaccinated.

Everyone 6 months and older should receive flu vaccine. If your child has never been vaccinated before and is 8 years old or younger, two doses will be administered. The first premiums their immune system (like saying "Hey, wake up!") And the second one, When should they get it? Now! Vaccines work best before exposure.

Nicole Torres, MD, is a general pediatric physician and an assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.