Influenza (the flu) is a common, contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It spreads easily, especially in fall and winter, and can make children (and adults) quite sick.
Jump to the following sections:
General information
Prevention
Treatment
General information
Types of Influenza
There are four types of influenza viruses:
- Influenza A – Most common cause of seasonal flu outbreaks and pandemics. Often causes more severe illness.
- Influenza B – Also common in children; usually causes seasonal outbreaks but not pandemics.
- Influenza C – Causes mild illness; not a major cause of outbreaks.
- Influenza D – Primarily affects cattle; does not infect humans.
The annual flu vaccine protects against the strains of Influenza A and B expected to circulate each season.
Common Symptoms
Flu symptoms often start suddenly and can include:
- Fever or chills (not everyone has a fever)
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headache
- Muscle or body aches
- Extreme fatigue or weakness
- Vomiting or diarrhea (more common in children)
Children may seem much more tired than usual and may not want to eat or drink.
Who Is at Higher Risk for Complications?
Most healthy children recover from the flu, but some are at higher risk for serious illness, including:
- Children under 5 years, especially under 2
- Children or teens with asthma or chronic lung disease
- Children or teens with heart disease, diabetes, or neurologic conditions
- Children or teens with weakened immune systems
- Children or teens with obesity
- Pregnant or postpartum teens
Possible complications include ear infections, pneumonia, dehydration, worsening of chronic conditions, and hospitalization.
How Influenza Spreads
Flu spreads through:
- Respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking
- Close contact with infected people
- Touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth
People are usually contagious 1 day before symptoms start and up to 5–7 days after, sometimes longer in young children.
Prevention
The best ways to protect your family include:
✔ Annual Flu Vaccine
- Recommended for everyone 6 months and older
- Reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and complications
- Even if flu occurs, illness is often milder in vaccinated individuals
- Is safe even for those with egg allergy - ask if you have questions
- Visit our Flu vaccine page for more
✔ Everyday Prevention
- Frequent handwashing with soap and water
- Avoid touching the face
- Cover coughs and sneezes - wearing a mask over your mouth and nose helps prevent spread to others and those around you can protect themselves with an N95 or KN95
- Stay home when sick
- Clean commonly touched surfaces
- Use a HEPA filter in the home and open windows for fresh air to decrease the influenza virus exposure in the home
Treatments
Supportive Care (Most Cases)
- Plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration
- Rest
- Fever and pain relief (acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed)
- Do NOT give aspirin to children or teens (risk of Reye syndrome)
- Humidify the air
- Treat Cough per our standard cough instructions .
Antiviral Medications
- Prescription antivirals (such as oseltamivir/Tamiflu® or baloxavir marboxil/Xofluza®) may be recommended - talk to your prescriber about the risks and benefits
- Most effective when started within 48 hours of symptom onset
- Often used for:
- Children at higher risk for complications
- Severe illness
- Hospitalized patients
- There are four approved antivirals for influenza
in the US, but they’re often hard to find during outbreaks. These medicines include
- oseltamivir phosphate (generic available, trade name Tamiflu®, available in liquid and tablet form, approved for 14 days of age and up)
- zanamivir (trade name Relenza®, inhaled medication approved for people 7 years and up without breathing problems)
- peramivir (trade name Rapivab®, intravenous medication approved for 6 months and up)
- baloxavir marboxil (trade name Xofluza®, available as a single dose in liquid or tablet form, approved for 5 to 12 year olds who do not have any chronic medical conditions and for all 12 years and older). See https://www.xofluza.com/save-on-xofluza/coupon.html for a coupon to help with costs.
When to Call Your Child’s Provider
Contact us or an Urgent Care/Emergency Department if your child:
- Has trouble breathing or fast breathing
- Is not drinking enough or has decreased urination
- Has fever lasting more than 3–4 days
- Seems unusually lethargic, confused, or hard to wake
- Has symptoms that improve, then suddenly worsen
- Is at high risk for complications
When Can My Child Return to School?
Children should stay home until:
- Fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine
- Feeling well enough to participate in normal activities
Wearing a mask when returning to school (or work) can help prevent the spread to others if they are still contagious despite being fever-free and feeling better. It also can help protect them from catching another infection in the period after flu, since the immune system may be impaired.
Key Takeaways
- Influenza is more than a bad cold. Vaccination, early recognition, and supportive care are the best tools to keep children healthy and reduce serious complications.
- If you have questions or concerns, contact your child’s healthcare provider.
- While the flu can be mild for some, it can lead to severe complications, especially in young children, older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with certain underlying health conditions.
- Influenza typically spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. You're contagious with the flu about one day before symptoms start and for up to 7 days after getting sick (longer for young children and immunocompromised people).
