What is Influenza?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent seasonal flu is by getting a seasonal flu vaccination each year.
Every year in the United States, on average:
5% to 20% of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications; and about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes.
Some people, such as older people, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), are at increased risk for serious complications from seasonal flu illness.
How does Influenza spread?
Person to Person
The main way that influenza viruses are thought to spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. (This is called "droplet spread.") This can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled through the air and deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby. Influenza viruses may also be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets on another person or an object and then touches their own mouth or nose (or someone else’s mouth or nose) before washing their hands.
Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first. Linens (such as bed sheets and towels) should be washed by using household laundry soap and tumbled dry on a hot setting. Individuals should wash their hands with soap and water immediately after handling dirty laundry. If soap and water are not available, they should use an alcohol-based hand rub to clean their hands. Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap.
The Flu Is Contagious
Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5-7 days after becoming sick. Children may pass the virus for longer than seven days. Symptoms start one to four days after the virus enters the body. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Some persons can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those persons may still spread the virus to others.
--Adapted from CDC.GOV/FLU
When should I expect the flu to "hit?"
In the Northern hemisphere, winter is the time for flu. The timing and duration of flu seasons vary. While flu outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later. During the past 26 flu seasons, months with the heaviest flu activity (peak months) occurred in November one season, December four seasons, January five seasons, February twelve seasons, and March four seasons.
--CDC.GOV/FLU
What do I do if my child is sick, but I'm not sure what she/he has?
To help determine whether your child is fighting the flu or combating a cold, review these questions:
| Flu vs. Colds: A Guide to Symptoms | ||
| Questions | Flu | Cold |
| Was your child's onset of illness … | sudden? | slow? |
| Does your child have a … | high fever? | no (or mild) fever? |
| Is your child's exhaustion level … | severe? | mild? |
| Is your child's head … | achy? | headache-free? |
| Is your child's appetite … | decreased? | normal? |
| Are your child's muscles … | achy? | fine? |
| Does your child have … | chills? | no chills? |
If most of your answers fell into the first category, chances are that your child has the flu.
If your answers usually fell into the second category, it's most likely a cold.
What do I do if I think my child has the flu?
Watch your child, at home, for persistent fever or severe exhaustion, increasing achy-ness, or chills. Alert the office if you are more concerned. Your child should not be sent back to daycare or school until she/he has been fever-free, off of fever-reducing medicines, for a minimum of 24 hours.
What else could my child's illness be?
Some bacterial diseases, like strep throat or pneumonia, can resemble the flu or a cold.
Alert the office or doctor on call if your child seems to be getting significantly worse, is having any trouble breathing, has a high fever (above 103.5 rectal or oral), has a severe headache, or seems confused.
While even healthy kids can have complications of the flu, kids with certain medical conditions are at more of a risk.
What is the treatment for the flu?
Some kids with chronic medical conditions may become more significantly sick with the flu and need to be hospitalized.
Most of the time, you can take care of your child by offering plenty of fluids, rest, and extra comfort.
Will my child be tested for seasonal Human Influenza?
In certain circumstances, as deemed appropriate by your child's doctor, testing for influenza virus may be indicated and may be performed. This may happen in the office or at a laboratory. Typically, due to the widespread nature of the influenza viruses in the current season, testing will not be performed as part of the diagnosis and treatment.
I'm pregnant. What do I do if my child has the flu?
If we cannot tell you definitively that your child has seasonal Human Influenza virus, we cannot recommend a course of treatment. Please discuss your particular situation and circumstances with your obstetrician or midwife.
What do I need to know about seasonal Human Influenza Vaccine?
There are two types of vaccines:
The "flu shot" — an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
The nasal-spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for "live attenuated influenza vaccine" or FluMist®). LAIV (FluMist®) is approved for use in healthy people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant. Our office will advise you if your child does not meet the criteria for receiving LAIV.
Each seasonal influenza vaccine contains three influenza viruses - one A (H3N2) virus, one regular seasonal A (H1N1) virus, and one B virus. The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on international surveillance and scientists' estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year. About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body.
When should my child be vaccinated?
Yearly flu vaccination should begin in September or as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the influenza season, into December, January, and beyond. This is because the timing and duration of influenza seasons vary. While influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later.
Should my child get vaccinated?
In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting seasonal flu should get a seasonal influenza vaccine. However, it is recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) that certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious seasonal flu-related complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious seasonal flu-related complications.
People who should get the seasonal vaccine each year are:
Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
Pregnant women
People 50 years of age and older
People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
Health care workers
Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
Is there anything that could indicate my child should not be vaccinated?
There are some people who should not get a flu vaccine without first consulting a physician. These include:
People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination.
People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine.
Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for this age group)
People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated.)
For what side effects of vaccination should I monitor my child?
Different side effects can be associated with the flu shot and LAIV.
The flu shot: The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that could occur are:
Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
Fever (low grade)
Aches
If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot and usually last 1 to 2 days. Almost all people who receive seasonal Human Influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it. However, on rare occasions, flu vaccination can cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. Please alert our office if you feel that the flu shot has caused a severe reaction in your child.
The nasal spray (also called LAIV or FluMist®): The viruses in the nasal-spray vaccine are weakened and do not cause severe symptoms often associated with influenza illness. (In clinical studies, transmission of vaccine viruses to close contacts has occurred only rarely.)
In children, side effects from LAIV (FluMist®) can include:
Runny Nose
Wheezing
Headache
Vomiting
Muscle Aches
Fever
When will seasonal Human Influenza vaccine be available?
Please see our latest Influenza News section under the News heading on our website for more information.
For further information about the current influenza season, please visit the CDC website at:
