There are two different types of flu vaccine that we have available in our office this year. The first is the injectable flu vaccine - this is an inactivated vaccine with killed virus that is given as shot. This is approved for people over 6 months of age, including healthy people and those with chronic medical conditions. Side effects from this vaccine can include: soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given, fever or aches.

The other type of vaccine available is the nasal spray flu vaccine which is sprayed in the nose. This is made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu. FluMistŪ is the trade name and this is approved for use in healthy people between 2 and 49. It can not be used in pregnant women or those who have asthma or reactive airway disease. This vaccine is preservative-free. Side effects for children from this vaccine can include: runny nose, cough, fever, headache, muscle aches, wheezing

The recommendations this year are that all children from 6 months to 19 years get the flu vaccine. Particularly children with underlying chronic illnesses, should receive the vaccine. These include children with asthma, underlying heart conditions, metabolic diseases, and other long-term health problems. Children younger than 9 years of age getting influenza vaccine for the first time - or who got influenza vaccine for the first time last season but got only one dose - should get 2 doses, at least 4 weeks apart, to be protected. It takes up to 2 weeks for protection to develop after the vaccine and lasts up to a year.

There are some groups of children that can not receive the FluMist nasal vaccine. These groups will need to receive the injectable flu vaccine instead.

• is under 5 years who have asthma or one or more episodes of wheezing within the past year or in any person with a diagnosis of asthma or reactive airway disease
• has heart, kidney, liver or lung disease
• has metabolic disease, such as diabetes
• has anemia and other blood disorders
• has a muscle or nerve disorder that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems
• has a weakened immune system
• is on long-term aspirin treatment
• is pregnant
• has a nasal condition that makes breathing difficult such as a very stuffy nose

Also, people with severe egg allergy should discuss the flu vaccine with their doctor as the influenza vaccine virus is grown in eggs. Also, if someone has ever had a paralytic disease called Guillain-Barre Syndrome, they should not get the vaccine.

In our office, we are giving both types of flu vaccines on a walk-in basis in our B105 office only. At this time we are stocked with both vaccines. We will post on the front page of our website the status of our vaccines if we run out or have a delayed shipment.

Well, summer is definitely over and the homework may be starting to pile up. Homework time can sometimes be stressful and aggravating for parents and students alike. Homework does teach skills such as organization, problem solving and responsibility. Here are a few tips about homework.

Be a parent "helper" not a "doer." This can be a fine line to manage. It is tempting as a parent to get carried away and start doing your child's homework. Your child must learn to succeed and manage the times when the job is not quite "perfect." Parents who are always correcting and striving to get their child to do the perfect job, will not be teaching their child the lessons of owning up to their responsibility. If they are having difficulties, make up a similar problem and show them step by step how to do it and then observe them do one. Ask them to show you completed work to ensure they are following directions, but don't try to correct every flaw. Ask them if there might be another way to write something or show you how they came up with the math problem if you see they are unclear on something, but don't put words on their paper or solve problems for them. If you can't figure out the problem yourself (junior high math may be long forgotten by many!) and your child is struggling, it may be time to ask the teacher for help. The key is to provide guidance, not answers. Have your child identify what things they need help with (eg, flashcards, practice for spelling tests) and what they can do themselves.

Schedule the time for homework. Most children will do better if there is a set routine and expectations around homework. With many children engaged in other activities, making sure the time for homework that still allows them to get to bed on time is important. It may be helpful to review the week's schedule on Sunday night and write it out with the allotted time for homework in there.

Provide a quiet location for homework. Children need to have the TV and video distractions gone when they are doing homework. If the cell phone calls and texting are becoming a distraction, that may need to be removed during homework time and calls and texts can be returned during a homework break or after the homework is done. A good house rule is for no TV or video games on school nights.

Praise the efforts, not the end results. Children need to learn perseverance and so praising their efforts in getting things done is important. Celebrate their success in completing projects and assignments. With large projects, teach them to put their efforts in small chunks.

Discuss concerns with the teacher. If you see that your child is clearly struggling with concepts, it is time to talk to the teacher. Keeping in touch and handling concerns with the teacher will be more useful than battling with your child or doing your child's work for them.

On Thursday, October 23rd at 7 pm Dr. Wood will be lecturing on "Children's Health: Nutrition to Love, What to Avoid." The lecture is free. It will be at the Ramada Carlsbad Hotel at 751 Macadamia Drive in Carlsbad. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Terri Schiel at 760-918-9194.