The flu virus is spread by droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze or talk. The droplets land in the mouths or noses of people who are in close contact. Sometimes the flu is spread by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or nose.

The flu vaccine comes in various forms - either by a shot or a nasal spray. The vaccine causes antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after it is administered. Every year the vaccine protects against the three viruses that research indicates will be the most common during the upcoming season. This year the vaccine includes influenza A (H1N1) virus, influenza A (H3N2) virus, and a type of influenza B virus. The flu vaccine should be administered every year because the vaccine is formulated on a yearly basis as the flu virus changes over time.

The Flu Shot:

an inactivated vaccine containing a killed form of the virus that is given with a needle in the arm. The flu shot is approved for any person six months of age and older. There are three forms of the shot:

• Regular flu shot: approved for people ages six months and older
• High dose flu shot: approved for people 65 years and older
• Intradermal flu shot: approved for people ages 18 to 64
• Side effects from the flu shot:
  • Soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given.
  • Low-grade fever
  • Muscle aches

The Nasal-Spray Flu Vaccine

made with live, weakened flu viruses (live-attenuated influenza vaccine “LAIV”) given in the form of a spray in the nose. This form of the vaccine does not cause the flu. This form of the vaccine is approved for healthy people ages 2 to 49 years who are not pregnant.

Side effects of the nasal-spray:

• Runny nose
• Wheezing
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Muscle aches

• Difficulty breathing, hoarseness or wheezing.
• Swelling around the eyes or lips
• Hives
• Paleness
• Weakness
• Fast heart beat
• Dizziness
• High fever
• Behavioral changes

An echocardiogram (or “echo” for short) is simply an ultrasound of the heart. A transducer which emits sound beams is placed on the child's chest to clearly visualize the heart structures. An echo is a completely painless procedure which typically takes between 15 and 30 minutes to complete. It is used most commonly to evaluate for possible structural defects of the heart. In our office, echoes are performed by both physicians as well as technicians in a calm and relaxing atmosphere for your child. Our rooms are equipped with televisions and DVD players to ease any stress that your child may experience.

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a recording of the electrical forces in the heart. It allows for the detection of heart rhythm abnormalities such as supraventricular tachycardia or atrioventricular block. It can be done on children of any age and is completely painless.

All of our physicians are experts in fetal cardiac diagnosis and management. We work closely with your obstetrician and perinatologist to assist in the management of your child. We have extensive experience with all forms of complex congenital heart disease, including hypoplastic left heart syndrome, tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary valve atresia, aortic stenosis, transposition of the great arteries, atrioventricular canal defect, ventricular septal defect, Ebstein’s anomaly of the tricuspid valve, and coarctation of the aorta, as well as many other forms of heart disease. We are also experts in heart rhythm disorders such as supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and congenital complete atrioventricular block.

We provide informative and compassionate counseling to you and your family. When necessary, we can arrange for further consultation with a congenital heart surgeon.

A fetal echocardiogram is a detailed study of the heart of a developing fetus. Your doctor may request a fetal echocardiogram for a number of different reasons. These may include suspicion of a congenital heart defect, a family history of congenital heart disease, or certain conditions in the mother which may predispose to heart disease such as diabetes or phenylketonuria. A fetal echocardiogram can usually be performed successfully after 18 weeks gestation, occasionally sooner.

The physicians at Pediatric Heart Specialists are experts in fetal echocardiogram perfomance. All our locations throughout Dallas and East Texas have the capability to perform fetal echocardiograms.

Your fetal echocardiogram will be performed in a private room by one of our physicians. Once the study is complete, the doctor will spend as much time as is necessary reviewing the results with you and providing in-depth counseling. We understand that this can be an extremely stressful time for you. Our physicians and office staff will treat you with compassion and understanding and will work hard to make your visit as informative as possible.

A Holter monitor is a device which records a patient’s heart rhythm for a 24-hour period of time. It is typically used to detect heart rhythm disturbances which may not be picked up by an ECG.

Surgical intervention is occasionally necessary in the setting of congenital heart disease. Heart lesions commonly requiring surgical intervention include ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, tetralogy of Fallot, coarctation of the aorta, patent ductus arteriosus, transposition of the great arteries, and tricuspid atresia. Pediatric Heart Specialists has all the tools needed to make an accurate and informed diagnosis, and when necessary, refer your child for further surgical care.

A transthoracic echocardiogram (or “echo” for short) is simply an ultrasound of the heart. A transducer which emits sound beams is placed on the child's chest to clearly visualize the heart structures. An echo is a completely painless procedure which typically takes between 15 and 30 minutes to complete. It is used most commonly to evaluate for possible structural defects of the heart. In our office, echoes are performed by both physicians as well as technicians in a calm and relaxing atmosphere for your child. Our rooms are equipped with televisions and DVD players to ease any stress that your child may experience.