The Danger of Flu to Children
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Department of Health and Hospitals – Office of Public Health –
Immunization Program
The Danger of Flu to Children
Flu is more dangerous than the common cold for children. Each year, flu places a large burden on the health
and well-being of children and families.
• Children commonly need medical care because of influenza, especially
before they turn 5 years old.
• Each year an average of 20,000 children under the age of 5 are
hospitalized because of influenza complications.
• Some children will die from the flu each year. During the 2007-08 flu
season, CDC received reports that 86 children died from influenza-
related complications.
• Severe influenza complications are most common in children younger
than 2 years old.
• Children with chronic health problems like asthma and diabetes are at
especially high risk of developing serious flu complications.
Symptoms
Symptoms of flu include fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches,
nausea, vomiting and diarrhea also can occur, and are much more common among children than adults.
Spread of the Flu
The main way that flu is spread is from person to person through coughs and sneezes. This can happen
when people are exposed to droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person, or when a person has
direct contact with droplets, nose drainage or saliva from an infected person, or a soiled object, and then
touches one’s own (or someone else’s) nose or mouth before washing hands. To prevent the spread of flu
teach your child to cover his/her nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing and to wash his/her hands
immediately.
Adults and caregivers may be able to spread the flu from 1 day before getting sick to 5 days after getting
sick. This can be longer in children and in people who don’t fight disease as well such as people with
weakened immune system.
If your child develops fever (100F°, or higher under the arm, 101F° orally or 102F° rectally) or chills, cough,
sore throat, headaches, or muscles aches, keep your child at home until his or her temperature has been
normal for 24 hours without the need for fever-reducing medicine. Remind your child to cover the mouth
when coughing or sneezing, to protect others (you may want to send facial tissues and alcohol-based wipes
or gels with your child for use at school).
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9/21/2009 2:31:00 PMDepartment of Health and Hospitals – Office of Public Health –
Immunization Program
Should my child go to school/day care if other children are
sick?
It is not unusual for some children in school/day care to get sick during the winter months. If many children
get sick, it is up to you to decide whether to send your child to school/day care. You might want to check
with your doctor, especially if your child has other health problems.
These seasonal influenza
Types of Influenza Vaccine vaccines are formulated to
prevent annual flu. They do
not protect against pandemic
H1N1 influenza.
There are two types of seasonal influenza vaccine:
1. Inactivated (killed) vaccine or the “flu shot” given by injection into the muscles.
2. Live, attenuated (weakened) influenza vaccine is sprayed into the nostrils.
Vaccination Recommendations
Vaccination is the best method for preventing flu and its potentially severe complications in children.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all children aged 6 months up to their 19th
birthday get a flu vaccine.
CDC also recommends that people in contact with certain groups of children get a flu vaccine in
order to protect the child (or children) in their lives from the flu.
The following contacts of children are recommended for influenza vaccination by CDC:
• Close contacts of children younger than 5 years old (people who live
with them) should get a flu vaccine.
• Out-of-home caregivers (nannies, daycare providers, etc.) of children
younger than 5 years old should get a flu vaccine.
• People who live with or have other close contact with a child or
children of any age with a chronic health problem (asthma, diabetes,
etc.) should get a flu vaccine.
• In addition, CDC recommends that all health care workers be
vaccinated each year to keep from spreading the flu to their patients.
(For information about other people recommended for vaccination, either because they are at high risk for
serious flu-related complications, or because they are contacts of high risk people, visit www.cdc.gov/flu
1450 L and A Road ▪ Metairie, Louisiana 70001
Phone #: 504/838-5300 ▪ Fax #: 504/838-5206 ▪ WWW.DHH.LOUISIANA.GOV
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9/21/2009 2:31:00 PMDepartment of Health and Hospitals – Office of Public Health –
Immunization Program
Children at Greatest Risk of Flu Complications
Certain groups of children are at increased risk for flu complications which include:
1. Children younger than 6 months old
The flu vaccine is not approved for use in infants younger than 6 months old; however, the risk of flu
complications is higher in these young infants than it is for any other child age group. The best way to
protect children younger than 6 months is to make sure members of their household and their caregivers
are vaccinated.
2. Children aged 6 months up to their 5th birthday
It is estimated that each year in the U.S., there are more than 20,000 children younger than 5 years old
who are hospitalized due to flu. Even children in this age group who are otherwise healthy are at risk simply
because of their age. In addition, children 2 years of age up to their 5th birthday are more likely to be taken
to a doctor, an urgent care center, or the emergency room because of flu than healthy older children. To
protect their health, all children 6 months and older should be vaccinated against the flu each year.
Vaccinating young children, their families, and other caregivers can also help protect them from getting sick.
3. Children aged 6 months and older with chronic health problems,
including:
• asthma or other problems of the lungs;
• immune suppression;
• chronic kidney disease;
• heart disease;
• HIV/AIDS
• diabetes;
• sickle cell anemia; or
• long-term aspirin therapy;
• any condition that can reduce lung function (cognitive dysfunction,
spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular
disorders).
1450 L and A Road ▪ Metairie, Louisiana 70001
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9/21/2009 2:31:00 PMDepartment of Health and Hospitals – Office of Public Health –
Immunization Program
When to Get Children Vaccinated
Yearly flu vaccination should begin in September or as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout
the flu season, into December, January, and beyond. While influenza outbreaks can happen as early as
October, most of the flu activity peaks in January or later.
Because flu viruses change every year, the vaccine is updated annually. So even if you or your children got
a flu vaccine last year, you both still need to get a flu vaccine this season to be protected. If October and
November slip by, and you haven’t gotten your children or yourself vaccinated, get vaccinated in December
or later.
Special Instructions for Children Being Vaccinated Against
Flu for the First Time:
Children 6 months up to 9 years of age getting a flu vaccine for the first time will need two doses of vaccine
the first year they are vaccinated. If possible, the first dose should be given in September or as soon as
vaccine becomes available. The second dose should be given 28 or more days after the first dose. The first
dose "primes" the immune system; the second dose provides immune protection. Children who only get one
dose but who need two doses can have reduced or no protection from a single dose of flu vaccine. Two
doses are necessary to protect these children. If your child needs two doses, begin the process early, so that
children are protected before influenza starts circulating in your community. Be sure to follow up to get your
child a second dose if they need one. It usually takes about two weeks after the second dose for protection
to begin.
Is there medicine to treat the flu?
There are antiviral drugs for children 1 year and older that can make your child feel better and get better
sooner, but these drugs need to be approved by a doctor. They should be started during the first 2 days
that your child is sick for them to work best. Your doctor can discuss with you if these drugs are right for
your child.
Where can I get my child vaccinated?
Many private doctors and public health units provide immunizations. Contact your child’s healthcare provider
and make an appointment. For your information, the Parish Health Units listed below provide immunizations
free or at very low cost. Also, check the Shots for Tots website for immunization outreaches in your area
www.shotsfortots.com.
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9/21/2009 2:31:00 PMDepartment of Health and Hospitals – Office of Public Health –
Immunization Program
Parish Health Units Contact Numbers
Acadia 337-788-7507 Madison 318-574-3311
Allen 318-335-1147 Morehouse 318-283-0806
Ascension 225-474-2004 Natchitoches 318-357-3132
Assumption 985-369-6031 Orleans 504-658-2500
Avoyelles 318-253-4528 Ouachita 318-361-7370
Beauregard 337-491-2080 Plaquemines 504-394-3510
Bienville 318-263-2125 Pointe Coupee 225-638-7320
Bossier 318-741-7314 Rapides 318-487-5282
Caddo 318-676-5223 Red River 318-932-4087
Calcasieu 337-478-6020 Richland 318-728-4441
Caldwell 318-649-2393 Sabine 318-256-4105
Cameron 337-775-5368 St. Bernard 504-278-7410
Catahoula 318-339-8352 St. Charles 985-785-2314
Claiborne 318-927-6127 St. Helena 225-222-6178
Concordia 318-757-8632 St. James 225-265-2181
Desoto 318-872-0472 St. John 985-536-2172
East Baton Rouge 225-242-4862 St. Landry 337-948-0220
East Carroll 318-559-2012 St. Martin 337-394-3097
East Feliciana 225-683-8551 St. Mary 985-380-2441
Evangeline 337-363-1135 St. Tammany 985-646-6445
Franklin 318-435-2143 S. St. Tammany 985-543-4165
Grant 318-627-3133 Tangipahoa 985-748-2020
Hammond 985-543-4165 Tensas 318-766-3515
Iberia 337-373-0021 Terrebonne 985-857-3601
Iberville 225-687-9021 Union 318-368-3156
Jackson 318-259-6601 Vermillion 337-893-1443
Jefferson (East) 504-838-5100 Vernon 337-238-6410
Jefferson (West) 504-349-8802 Washington (Franklinton) 985-839-5646
Jefferson Davis 337-824-8034 Washington (Bogalusa) 985-732-6615
Lafayette 337-262-5616 Webster 318-371-3030
Lafourche 985-447-0921 Webster/Springfield 318-539-4314
Lafourche-Galliano 985-632-5567 West Baton Rouge 225-342-7525
Lasalle 318-992-4842 West Carroll 318-428-9361
Lincoln 318-251-4120 West Feliciana 225-635-3644
Livingston 225-686-7017 Winn 318-628-2148
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