The flu and your child: prevention, symptoms, and treatment

The arrival of colder weather goes hand-in-hand with cold and flu season. While parents never want their children to be sick, the virus causing influenza can be especially serious, in some cases even causing hospitalizations for both children and adults.

“The good news is there are steps you can take to prevent and protect your child from a bad case of the flu,” said Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health pediatrician Joan B. Thode, MD, FAAP. “The best way to do so? Make sure your child receives a flu vaccine every season.”

Does my child really feed a flu vaccine?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone six months of age and older get vaccinated, with rare exception. The flu vaccine has been shown to be life-saving for children. Here is what the vaccine can do:

• Reduces the risk of illness and hospitalization among children
• Can make your child’s illness less severe if they contract the flu
• Helps keep kids in school and child care
• Reduces the risk of your child developing complications if they are under 5, or have chronic conditions
• Helps prevent the spread of the influenza virus to family and friends

How does the flu vaccine work?

“To understand the vaccine, it’s helpful to understand how the flu infects the body,” said Thode. “When a virus like the flu gets into the body, it inserts its own DNA into the body’s cells and programs them to replicate the virus. This replication allows the virus to quickly spread to other cells. When the body’s immune cells detect an infected cell, the body triggers a chemical response to target and kill the infected cells.”

If the immune system knows ahead of time to watch for influenza, it can kill off the virus earlier, reducing the number of cells affected and, therefore, the overall impact of the flu.

When your child receives a flu vaccine, it prepares their immune system by introducing several pieces of the virus to their body. By placing this small amount of virus into the body, the immune system’s “memory cells” can recognize the organism and destroy it before it has a chance to spread further.

Why children need a flu shot every year

One of the tricky characteristics of influenza is that it rapidly changes from year to year, making it difficult to create a “perfect” flu vaccine.

“That’s why each flu season vaccine makers include pieces of the predicted variant, along with pieces of the core flu structure that doesn’t vary from year to year. Having both of these pieces in place allows the body’s memory cells to recognize the changing virus,” explained Thode.

A flu vaccine will protect against the flu all season. However, because the vaccine wears off over time, your child will need another shot for the best protection the following season.

The flu vaccine is offered via a nasal spray and injection—your child’s provider will recommend which version is best. It’s recommended that your child get their flu vaccine each year in the fall, starting when they are 6 months old.

It’s important to note that your child cannot get the flu from the flu shot, because it does not contain an intact virus. The vaccine contains only inactive pieces of the virus so the body’s immune system gains familiarity with them.

How is the flu spread?

The only way to get the flu is through close proximity to someone else who has the virus. Like other viral infections, the flu passes from person to person.

“For instance when someone nearby coughs or sneezes, or your child touches a contaminated surface then rubs their eyes or puts their hands in their mouth, they have been exposed to, and can get the virus,” said Thode.

Symptoms of flu in children

Here are some symptoms of influenza to look for in your child:

• Sudden (usually high) fever
• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Chills
• Sore throat
• Dry, hacking cough
• Runny or stuffy nose

While a lot of these symptoms might sound like the beginnings of a cold or another respiratory illness, the flu often causes kids and adults alike to feel much worse. The flu can last a week or more in children, while symptoms such as a sore throat, stuffy nose, and cough may last longer.

“If your child’s condition starts to get better, then suddenly worsens, it may be a sign of a secondary infection requiring medical care,” said Thode.

Always call your child’s provider if they experience:

• A high fever that lasts for more than four days or goes away and then comes back
• Sustained rapid or difficulty breathing
• A rapid heartbeat without a fever
• Significant fatigue or dizziness
• Signs of dehydration
• Severe muscle pain

How is the flu treated?

For most children, the flu runs its course on its own. Rest, lots of fluids, and managing symptoms with acetaminophen or ibuprofen when needed is key for most cases.

“Check the boxes carefully to ensure your child gets the correct dose of these medications.” warned Thode. “It’s important to remember that aspirin should never be given to children, especially if they have the flu. Aspirin given during an influenza infection is associated with an increased risk of Reye syndrome, a condition that can lead to injury of the brain and liver.”

Depending on your child’s health history, their provider may also prescribe an antiviral medicine (commonly known by the brand name Tamiflu). If you suspect your child has the flu, call their provider for instructions within 24 hours of first symptoms—especially if they are less than 2 years old, or have underlying health problem like asthma, chronic lung disease, a heart condition, or an otherwise weakened immune system. While antivirals work best within first day or two of symptoms, they may be prescribed later for those at risk of complications. You should also reconnect with your child’s provider if their symptoms are not improving.

“Flu can be scary when it affects you or your children That’s why it’s so important to protect them—and yourself—from influenza by ensuring your household gets the flu vaccine each year,” said Thode.

If you have any questions or concerns about the flu or the vaccine, the best advice is to contact your child’s provider.