Protect Against Flu: Caregivers of Infants and Young Children

"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 

Flu & Young Children

"Getting a flu vaccine during 2020-2021 is more important than ever. Flu vaccination is especially important for children. Children younger than 5 years old–especially those younger than 2– are at high risk of developing serious flu-related complications. CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older.

Children younger than 5 years old–especially those younger than 2– are at high risk of developing serious flu-related complications. A flu vaccine offers the best defense against flu and its potentially serious consequences and can also reduce the spread of flu to others. Getting vaccinated has been shown to reduce flu illnesses, doctor’s visits, missed work and school days, and reduce the risk of flu-related hospitalization and death in children. Information on this page summarizes vaccine recommendations for children. More information on vaccine benefits is available.

Influenza is dangerous for children

Flu illness is more dangerous than the common cold for children. Each year, millions of children get sick with seasonal flu; thousands of children are hospitalized, and some children die from flu. Children commonly need medical care because of flu, especially children younger than 5 years old.

• Complications from flu among children in this age group 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 from fluid intake)
  • Worsening of long-term medical problems like heart disease or asthma
  • Brain dysfunction such as encephalopathy
  • Sinus problems and ear infections
  • In rare cases, flu complications can lead to death.
• Flu seasons vary in severity, however every year children are at risk
  • CDC estimates that since 2010, flu-related hospitalizations among children younger than 5 years old have ranged from 7,000 to 26,000 in the United States.
  • While relatively rare, some children die from flu each year. Since 2004-2005, flu-related deaths in children reported to CDC during regular flu seasons have ranged from 37 to 188 deaths. (During the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, 358 pediatric flu-related deaths were reported to CDC from April 2009 to September 2010.) It is noteworthy that among reported pediatric deaths, about 80% of those children were not fully vaccinated. Also of note, even though individual flu deaths in children must be reported to CDC, it is likely that not all deaths are captured and that the number of actual deaths is higher. CDC has developed statistical models that account for the underreporting of flu-related deaths in children to estimate the actual number of deaths. During 2017-2018, for example, 188 deaths in children were reported to CDC but statistical modeling suggests approximately 600 deaths may have occurred. More information about pediatric deaths since the 2004-2005 flu season is available in the interactive flu web application..."
    Flu and young children 

Flu Symptoms & Complications

"Is it Flu or COVID-19?

Some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, making it hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Diagnostic testing can help determine if you are sick with the flu or COVID-19.

Flu Testing

Other Flu Questions

• What is influenza?
• When is the flu season?
• What is the treatment?
• Flu complications
• What are emergency warning signs of flu sickness?

Flu Symptoms

Influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu is different from a cold. Flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:

• fever* or feeling feverish/chills
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle or body aches
• headaches
• fatigue (tiredness)
• some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

media iconLow Resolution Video

This video includes common signs and symptoms of flu.

Flu Complications

Most people who get flu will recover in a few days to less than two weeks, but some people will develop complications (such as pneumonia) as a result of flu, some of which can be life-threatening and result in death.

Sinus and ear infections are examples of moderate complications from flu, while pneumonia is a serious flu complication that can result from either influenza virus infection alone or from co-infection of flu virus and bacteria. Other possible serious complications triggered by flu can include inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), brain (encephalitis) or muscle (myositis, rhabdomyolysis) tissues, and multi-organ failure (for example, respiratory and kidney failure). Flu virus infection of the respiratory tract can trigger an extreme inflammatory response in the body and can lead to sepsis, the body’s life-threatening response to infection. Flu also can make chronic medical problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have flu, and people with chronic heart disease may experience a worsening of this condition triggered by flu..."
Flu symptoms 

How to prevent flu

"Take time to get a flu vaccine.

• CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. Getting a flu vaccine during 2020-2021 will be more important than ever.
• Flu vaccines will not prevent COVID-19, but they will reduce the burden of flu illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths on the health care system and conserve scarce medical resources for the care of people with COVID-19. (Read more about flu vaccine benefits.)
• CDC estimates that last season, fewer than half of Americans got a flu vaccine and at least 410,000 people were hospitalized from flu. Increased vaccination coverage would reduce that burden.
• Most flu vaccines protect against the four flu viruses that research suggests will be most common. (See Vaccine Virus Selection for this season’s vaccine composition.)
• Everyone 6 months of age and older should get annual flu vaccine by the end of October. Learn more about vaccine timing.
• Vaccination of high risk persons is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness.
• People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older. Many people at higher risk from flu also seem to be at higher risk from COVID-19.
• Vaccination also is important for health care workers, and other people who live with or care for people at higher risk to keep from spreading flu to them. This is especially true for people who work in long-term care facilities, which are home to many of the people most vulnerable to flu and COVID-19.
• Children younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu illness, but are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for infants should be vaccinated instead.

  Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs.

• Take everyday preventive actions that are always recommended to reduce the spread of flu.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • If you are sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with viruses that cause flu.
• See Everyday Preventative Actionspdf icon and recommended precautions to take during daily life and when going out for more information about actions – apart from getting vaccinated and taking medicine – that people and communities can take to help slow the spread of illnesses like influenza (flu).
• For flu, CDC recommends that people stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone except to get medical care or other necessities. Fever should be gone without the need to use a fever-reducing medicine. The stay-at-home guidance for COVID-19 may be different.
• In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, local governments or public health departments may recommend additional precautions be taken in your community. Follow those instructions..."
  Flu prevention 

Staying Safe During Flu Season

"One in 10 people in the United States will get the flu in a given season, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And while viruses can live all year round, flu activity tends to rise in October and then peak between December and February. With COVID-19 a factor this year, it's even more important to take precautions to prevent the flu from spreading. Here are 10 ways to keep workers safe:

1. Recommend all workers get vaccinated. Vaccination is the most important way to prevent the spread of the flu. It takes about two weeks for flu antibodies to develop, so the time to get a shot is before peak flu season.
2. Encourage workers to stay home if they are sick. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that workers who have a fever and respiratory symptoms stay at home until 24 hours after their fever ends (100 degrees Fahrenheit or lower) without the use of medication. Not everyone who has the flu will have a fever. Other symptoms can include a runny nose, body aches, headache, fatigue, diarrhea or vomiting.
3. Wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds; use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available. When using soap and water, rub soapy hands together for at least 20 seconds, rinse with water, and dry completely. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub until you can wash your hands.
4. Continue practicing social distancing. Staying at least 6 feet apart from co-workers, whenever possible, can help prevent the spread of the flu.
5. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or upper sleeve. Tissues should go into a "no-touch" wastebasket and wash your hands after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose. Avoid touching your face.
6. Keep frequently touched surfaces clean. Commonly used surfaces such as counters, door handles, phones, computer keyboards and touchpads should be cleaned after each use.
7. Limit shared equipment or clean equipment before others use it. Avoid using a co-worker's phone, desk, office, computer or other equipment unless they are cleaned with an EPA-approved disinfectant.
8. Training is knowledge. Make sure all workers understand how to stay healthy at work during flu season, including new and temporary workers.
9. Wear a face covering. These can help limit the flu's spread.
10. Consider alternate work arrangements. If feasible, offer options such as telework or staggered shifts for workers considered high risk for seasonal flu (such as older workers, pregnant women, and those with asthma).

Learn more about workplace safety and the flu on OSHA's website. You can find additional resources and learn more about OSHA's response to the coronavirus at osha.gov/coronavirus..."
Flu 

Flu Vaccine

"This Season a Flu Vaccine is More Important than Ever!

Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever during 2020-2021 to protect yourself, your family and your community from flu. A flu vaccine this season can also help reduce the burden on our healthcare systems responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and save medical resources for care of COVID-19 patients. September and October are good times to get a flu vaccine.​

The more people vaccinated; the more people protected. Do your part. Get a flu vaccine this fall.

What to expect for the 2020-2021 flu season, during the COVID-19 Pandemic?

The Difference between Flu and COVID-19

What You Need to Know for 2020-21 Flu Season

Protect Yourself and Others from COVID-19

Information for Health Care Professionals 2020-2021 Flu Season.."
Flu vaccine 

What You Should Know About Flu Antiviral Drugs

"Can flu be treated?

Yes. There are prescription medications called “antiviral drugs” that can be used to treat flu illness. CDC recommends prompt treatment for people who have flu infection or suspected flu infection and who are at high risk of serious flu complications, such as people with asthma, diabetes (including gestational diabetes), or heart disease.

What are antiviral drugs?

Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, an inhaled powder, or an intravenous solution) that fight against flu viruses in your body. Antiviral drugs are not sold over-the-counter. You can only get them if you have a prescription from a health care provider. Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics, which fight against bacterial infections.

What should I do if I think I am sick with flu?

If you get sick with flu, antiviral drugs are a treatment option. Check with your doctor promptly if you are at high risk of serious flu complications (see box below for the full list of high risk factors) and you develop flu symptoms. Flu signs and symptoms can include feeling feverish or having a fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs to treat your flu illness..."
Flu antiviral

Cancer, the Flu, and You

"If you have cancer now or have had cancer in the past, you are at higher risk for complications from the flu.

Get Your Flu Shot!

Flu vaccination is especially important for people with cancer or a history of cancer because they are at high risk of developing serious flu complications.

Are You 65 Years Old or Older?

Some older adults (65 years of age and older) may have a weaker immune response to flu vaccines. This can make them more likely to get the flu or flu complications.

Two vaccines are designed to create a stronger immune response in people who are 65 or older—

• The high-dose flu vaccine contains four times the amount of antigen as the regular flu shot.
• The adjuvanted flu vaccine contains an additive (called adjuvant).

For more information, see People 65 Years and Older and Influenza..."
Cancer and the flu 

People at High Risk For Flu Complications

"Most people who get sick with flu will have mild illness, will not need medical care or antiviral drugs and will recover in less than two weeks. Some people, however, are more likely to get flu complications that can result in hospitalization and sometimes death. Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections and ear infections are examples of flu-related complications. Flu also can make chronic health problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have flu and people with chronic congestive heart failure may experience a worsening of this condition triggered by flu. Below are the groups of people who are more likely to get serious flu-related complications if they get sick with flu..."
Flu complications

Fighting Flu with Antiviral Drugs

"Most of the United States is reporting widespread flu activity according to CDC. Flu activity is expected to continue nationally for a number of weeks. 

What can you do to protect yourself and your loved ones? If you have not received a flu vaccine, it is not too late! Flu vaccines reduce the risk of flu illness and potentially serious flu complications that can result in hospitalization and death. Flu activity usually peaks between December and February, although activity can last as late as May.

If you get sick with flu, antiviral drugs can be used to treat your illness.

Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines that fight against flu viruses in your body. They are different from antibiotics, which fight against bacterial infections. Antiviral drugs can lessen fever and flu symptoms, and shorten the time you are sick by about one day. They also may reduce the risk of complications such as ear infections in children, respiratory complications requiring antibiotics in adults, and hospitalization.

For people at high risk of serious flu complications, early treatment with an antiviral drug can mean having milder illness instead of more severe illness that might require a hospital stay. For adults hospitalized with flu illness, some studies have reported that early antiviral treatment can reduce their risk of death.."
Antiviral drugs

Protect Children with the Flu Vaccine

"Influenza (flu) is a contagious viral infection that affects the respiratory system. Children are especially vulnerable to becoming sick with flu because of exposures in classrooms or daycare settings. The single best way to protect your children against seasonal flu, and its potentially severe consequences, is to get them and get yourself a flu vaccine each year!

Millions of children get sick with seasonal flu, thousands are hospitalized, and some children die from flu each year. During the 2017-2018 flu season, 185 flu-associated deaths in children were reported to CDC. That’s the highest number since the 2004-2005 flu season, when flu-associated deaths in people younger than 18 years old became nationally reportable. But the number of actual flu deaths in children is thought to be higher than that because not all cases of flu are detected. This happens for a number of reasons including that people may not be tested for flu, or they seek medical care later in their illness when influenza can no longer be detected from respiratory samples. In addition, some commonly used tests to diagnose influenza in clinical settings are not highly sensitive and can provide false negative results..."
Children and flu

Long-Term Care and Flu

"Vaccinate Health Care Providers in Long-Term Care Facilities

Influenza (flu) is a contagious viral infection that affects the respiratory system – your nose, throat and lungs. Flu can be a serious health threat for people 65 and older and those of any age living with certain chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney and liver disorders. Health care providers in long-term care (LTC) facilities have direct or indirect contact with residents, who often are older adults, people with disabilities, and people with chronic medical conditions receiving care.

Besides vaccinating residents to protect them from flu, it is very important for health care workers to get vaccinated against flu also. Annual flu vaccination reduces flu illnesses and more serious flu outcomes that can result in hospitalization, or even death. Vaccinated workers in LTC facilities may protect residents as well as the employees themselves..."
Healthcare and Flu

Are You at High Risk for Serious Illness from Flu?

"Annual flu vaccination is the most important defense against influenza and its potentially serious complications.

Are You at High Risk for Serious Flu Illness?

Millions of Americans suffer from flu illnesses every year.  CDC early estimates indicate that more than 900,000 people were hospitalized and more than 80,000 people died from flu last season. Some people are at higher risk for serious flu complications, including young children, older people, pregnant women and people with certain chronic health conditions. Flu vaccination and the proper use of influenza antiviral medicines are especially important for protecting people at high risk of serious flu complications.

Influenza, commonly called “flu,” is a contagious viral infection that affects the respiratory system – your nose, throat and lungs. Flu symptoms can range from mild to severe and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also may have vomiting and diarrhea, but this is more common in children than adults..."
Flu

Vaccination Remains Your Best Flu Protection

"The best way to prevent flu and its potentially serious complications is getting a flu vaccine.

Fall brings cooler temperatures, colorful leaves, and football games. It also means another flu season is upon us. Last year’s was rough. The CDC classified 2017-2018 a high severity season with high levels of outpatient clinic and emergency department visits for influenza-like illness, high influenza-related hospitalization rates, and widespread influenza activity across the United States for an extended period. The CDC estimates the flu caused between 140,000 and 710,000 hospitalizations and between 12,000 and 56,000 deaths annually in the U.S. since 2010. While estimates for last season won’t be available until later in the fall, it’s likely that last season was record-breaking across both of these key indicators used to track severity. It’s not possible to predict how severe the upcoming season will be, but we know that the best way to prevent flu and its potentially serious complications is a flu vaccine..."
Flu vaccine

Protect Yourself & Your Family Against Flu

"Flu activity has increased sharply in the United States in recent weeks, with widespread activity reported in 49 states in the last CDC FluView report. While flu vaccination is the most important way to prevent influenza, antiviral drugs are the most important way to treat influenza infection. Studies have shown that early treatment with a flu antiviral drug can shorten the duration of fever and illness symptoms, and can reduce the risk of serious flu complications.

CDC recommends these drugs be used as soon as possible in people who are severely ill or people who are at high risk of serious flu complications who develop flu symptoms.

For people with an age or medical factor that puts them at high-risk of serious flu complications, prompt treatment with a flu antiviral drug can mean the difference between having a milder illness and a stay in the hospital.

At this time vaccination to prevent future cases of influenza is still a good idea. There are likely weeks of flu activity to come during the current flu season so vaccination can still offer important protection. While influenza A(H3N2) viruses have been most common to date, it is not unusual for different flu viruses to circulate at different times of the season and most flu vaccines protect against four different influenza viruses..."
Protection against Flu

Prompt Use of Antivirals is Key this Flu Season

"A recent sharp increase in influenza A(H3N2) activity in the United States has prompted the CDC to release a health advisory emphasizing the importance of its antiviral treatment recommendations this season. Read more about what clinicians can do.

The December 27 health advisory published via CDC’s Health Alert Network (HAN) highlights the potential for influenza A(H3N2) virus-predominant seasons to be associated with more hospitalizations and deaths in persons aged 65 years and older and young children compared with other age groups.

In addition, the HAN also discusses that influenza (flu) vaccines are generally less effective against influenza A(H3N2) viruses than against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 or influenza B viruses. Last season, flu vaccine effectiveness (VE) against circulating influenza A(H3N2) viruses was estimated to be 32% in the United States. While CDC’s preliminary VE estimates for the 2017-2018 season will not be available until later in the season, CDC expects that U.S. VE estimates against circulating A(H3N2) viruses will be similar to last season, assuming the same A(H3N2) viruses continue to predominate. This underscores the need for clinicians to step up influenza treatment efforts this season with the appropriate use of antiviral medications..."
Antiviral and flu

Flu-Free, Healthy Travel this Winter

"Whether traveling to warmer weather or a snow-filled adventure, make sure flu is not your travel companion.

It’s not too late to get a flu vaccine if you haven’t already done so. It takes about 2 weeks for the vaccine to provide protection, so get vaccinated well before your trip to reduce your risk of catching and spreading flu.

Wherever you may be going this winter, protecting yourself and others from flu is important. Here are some useful tips for staying healthy during the winter months.

Before Your Trip

Get vaccinated.

Flu vaccines are the most important tool we have for preventing flu. If you have not gotten your vaccine already, it’s important to get it before you travel. Flu vaccines are available in many places, including doctors’ offices, health departments and pharmacies. You can also use the HealthMap Vaccine Finder if you need help finding places that offer flu vaccine in your area. Getting vaccinated now is the best way to protect yourself against flu..."
Flu and winter travel

Cancer, the Flu, and You

"Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season.

Living with cancer increases your risk for complications from influenza (“flu”). If you have cancer now or have had cancer in the past, you are at higher risk for complications from the seasonal flu or influenza, including hospitalization and death.

Get Your Flu Shot!

People with cancer or a history of cancer, and people who live with or care for cancer patients and survivors, should get a seasonal flu shot. Immune defenses become weaker with age, which places older people at greater risk of severe illness from flu. Also, aging decreases the body’s ability to have a good immune response after getting a flu shot. Two vaccines are designed specifically for people 65 and older—

• The high-dose flu vaccine contains four times the amount of antigen as the regular flu shot.
• The adjuvanted flu vaccine is designed to help create a stronger immune response to vaccination.

For more information, see What You Should Know and Do this Flu Season If You Are 65 Years and Older..."
Cancer and flu

Fight the Flu!

"December 3-9 is National Influenza Vaccination Week. If you haven’t gotten your flu vaccine yet, now’s the time! An annual flu vaccine is the first and best way to protect against flu.

This year, National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) takes place December 3-9, 2017. NIVW highlights the importance of continuing flu vaccination through the holiday season and beyond.

Vaccination is the Best Way to Prevent Flu!

As long as flu viruses are spreading and causing illness, vaccination can still provide protection against flu. Most of the time, flu activity peaks between December and February in the United States, although activity can last as late as May. Flu activity is expected to increase in the coming weeks; the sooner you get vaccinated, the more likely you are to be protected against flu when activity picks up in your community. View CDC’s influenza summary map for a weekly update on flu activity in the United States..."
Flu

Your Best Shot is the Flu Shot

"With fall approaching, it is a sure bet that cold and flu season will soon follow bringing the risk of flu illness. Some people will only be mildly sick or miserable for a few days, but for some, flu can be very serious and may even result in hospitalization or death. The CDC estimates the flu has caused between 140,000 and 710,000 hospitalizations and between 12,000 and 56,000 deaths annually in the United States since 2010. Some people are at higher risk of serious flu illness. What is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from flu? Get a flu shot!

Flu viruses infect the nose, throat, and lungs and can cause a wide range of complications. Sinus and ear infections are examples of moderate complications from flu. Pneumonia is a serious flu complication that can result from either flu virus infection alone or from co-infection of flu virus and bacteria. Other possible serious complications triggered by flu can include inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), brain (encephalitis) or muscle (myositis, rhabdomyolysis), and multi-organ failure (for example, respiratory and kidney failure). Flu virus infection can trigger an extreme inflammatory response in the body and can lead to sepsis, the body’s life-threatening response to infection. Over the past six flu seasons, the U.S. has experienced several flu seasons with high rates of hospitalization and severe disease..."
2017 Flu Season