Flu in Children – Influenza

FLU IN CHILDREN

Seasonal influenza (“the flu”), is an acute respiratory illness caused by influenza A or B viruses and is most dangerous to children, seniors, and those with weakened immune systems. The flu is contagious, spreading through droplets created anytime an infected person sneezes or talks. Children may be able to pass the flu virus for longer than seven days, and some people who are infectious may show no symptoms of flu.

Flu illness begins one to four days after the virus enters your body, and can cause fever, chills, throat pain, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue. Flu symptoms in children may also include vomiting and diarrhea.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FLU AND STOMACH FLU

Although flu may cause vomiting and diarrhea, especially in children, this does not necessarily mean a child has “stomach flu.” Stomach flu is caused by intestinal infection from a virus, typically rotavirus or norovirus. In other words, stomach flu is a different disease all together from “the flu.”

FLU COMPLICATIONS IN CHILDREN

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates about 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized due to flu complications every year. Severe complications are most common in children under 2 years old.