About Us | Privacy | Site Map
May 25, 2013
Font Size
A
A
A
«Previous
1
...
5
6
7
8
9
...
Next»

Flu in Children (cont.)

Medical Author:
Steven Fine, MD, PhD
Medical Editor:
Mary Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP
Mary Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP

Mary D. Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP is the Chair of the Department of Medicine at Michigan State University. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt Medical School, and completed her residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Indiana University.

View Full Profile

Flu in Children Prevention

  • Hand washing with soap and water or an alcohol hand gel is an important way to prevent picking up a flu virus. Avoid touching the mouth, nose, or eyes prior to hand washing.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are ill. Droplets from a cough or sneeze can spread infection and are estimated to be able to travel about 6 feet.
  • Vaccination is the mainstay of flu prevention. The killed flu vaccine (a flu shot) should be given during the fall. In children, the flu vaccine can be given to children older than 6 months of age and in two separate doses for children younger than 9 years of age who have not been previously vaccinated.
  • The flu vaccine is also available as a nasal spray (FluMist) for healthy children 5 years of age or older, adolescents, and adults 49 years of age or younger. Children 5-8 years of age who have not received the flu vaccine as a nasal spray before require two doses about two months apart. Children who take aspirin should not receive the live vaccine.
  • Keep children with the flu at home while the fever lasts. Once the fever is gone, children may return to school and day care.
  • Adults can spread the flu to others from about one day before they feel sick to five to seven days into the illness. People with weak immune systems or children may pass the flu virus even longer than seven days.
  • For 2009-2010, two distinct vaccines were available, one for the seasonal influenza strain, and one for the H1N1 strain. For the 2010-2011 season and for the current 2012-2013 season, the H1N1 vaccine is included in the regular seasonal flu vaccine. The current vaccine is available both as a killed injection or live nasal spray.

Must Read Articles Related to Flu in Children

Cough
Coughs A cough is a symptom of an underlying disease or condition. A chronic or persistent cough may signal certain lung conditions that should be evaluated by a healt...learn more >>
Fever in Children
Fever in Children Fever is defined as a rectal temperature over 100.4 F or 38.0 C. Fever isn't life-threatening unless it is persistently high -- greater than 107 F rectal temper...learn more >>
Immunization Schedule, Children
Immunization Schedule, Children Vaccinations are some of the most important tools available for preventing disease. Most children get all their shots during childhood. Parents should consult t...learn more >>
See the Entire Flu in Children Topic Guide »
Print

Viewer Comments & Reviews

Flu in Children - Experience

The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:

Please describe your experience with your children having the flu?

View 3 Comments | Submit Your Comment
Print
Privacy Policy

Women's Health

Find out what women really need.

Please acknowledge your agreement




Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Influenza »

Influenza is the one of the most significant acute upper respiratory tract infections.

Read More on Medscape Reference »


Featured Topics

Topics Related to Flu in Children

Cold and Flu Topics

Medical Dictionary


or A-Z List
Use Pill Finder Find it Now

Pill Identifier on RxList

  • quick, easy,
    pill identification

Find a Local Pharmacy

  • including 24 hour, pharmacies