At Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach, we know that a parent’s biggest concern is keeping their children safe from harm or illness — so, from flu safety education, to preventive measures, we want to help you and your family avoid contracting this health nightmare.
Influenza (the flu) is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs caused by influenza viruses. These contagious viruses cause illness, hospital stays and deaths in the United States each year. The flu can be very dangerous for children. Each year nearly 20,000 children younger than 5-years-old are hospitalized from flu complications, like pneumonia.
Flu illness can vary from mild to severe. While the flu can be serious even in people who are otherwise healthy, it can be especially dangerous for young children and children of any age who have certain long term health conditions, including asthma (even mild or controlled), neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions, chronic lung disease, heart disease, blood disorders, endocrine disorders (such as diabetes), kidney, liver and metabolic disorders, and weakened immune systems due to disease or medication. Children with these conditions and children who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy can have more severe illness from the flu.
Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might get the flu by touching something that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or nose. People with the flu may be able to infect others by shedding virus from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. However, children and people with weakened immune systems can shed virus for longer, and might be still contagious past 5 to 7 days of being sick, especially if they still have symptoms.
Symptoms
- Symptoms of the flu can include:
- Fever (Some people with the flu may not have a fever.)
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- body aches
- headache
- chills
- fatigue
- sometimes vomiting and diarrhea
Vaccinations
Miller Children’s recommends everyone ages 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine each year to reduce the chance of contracting the flu. Getting a flu vaccine also is the best way to protect your children and everyone around you from the life-threatening virus. For caregivers of children younger than 6-months-old, or children with long term health conditions, vaccination is crucial in preventing the development of further, debilitating illnesses.
To protect babies, pregnant women are urged to receive a flu vaccination because research shows that this gives some protection to the baby both while the woman is pregnant and for a few months after the baby is born.
A new flu vaccine is made each year to protect against the three flu viruses that research indicates are most likely to cause illness during the next flu season. Flu vaccines are made using strict safety and production measures. Over the years, millions of flu vaccines have been given in the United States with a very good safety record.
Preventing the Flu
- Help fight the flu and boost your family’s immune system by:
- getting plenty of sleep and exercise
- eating healthy foods
- drinking plenty of fluid
- Also, taking everyday preventative actions to stop the spread of germs, such as:
- avoiding close contact with sick people
- frequent hand washing
- staying home for at least 24 hours after a fever if you are sick with flu-like symptoms
- covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
Taking extra precautions will help you maintain good health or avoid sharing these dangerous germs with loved ones.