"Children younger than 5 years old– especially those younger than 2– are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications. CDC estimates that from 2010 to 2020, flu-related hospitalizations among children younger than 5 years ranged from between 6,000 to 27,000 per year in the United States. Many more have to go to a doctor, an urgent care center, or the emergency room because of flu.
Complications from flu among children can include:
- pneumonia (an illness where the lungs get infected and inflamed),
- dehydration (when a child’s body loses too much water and salts, often because fluid losses are greater than fluid intake),
- worsening of long-term medical problems like heart disease or asthma,
- brain dysfunction,
- sinus problems, and ear infections.
In rare cases, flu complications can lead to death.
Children Younger Than 6 Months Old at Highest Risk
Children younger than 6 months old have the highest risk for being hospitalized from flu compared to children of other ages but are too young to get a flu vaccine. Because flu vaccines are not approved for use in children younger than 6 months old, protecting them from flu is especially important..."
Children and Flu
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