Protect Your Family Against the Flu
Children's Hospital Colorado wants to help you protect your children and family from the flu. Educate yourself and encourage your friends and family to understand the latest information on the flu this year.
What is the flu?
Influenza, commonly known as "the flu," is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract. The flu is often confused with the common cold, but flu symptoms tend to develop quickly and are usually more severe than the typical sneezing and congestion of a cold.
Flu symptoms can include:
- Vomiting - most common in young children
Learn more about the flu from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The 2012-2013 flu season
Seasonal influenza refers to many different strains of an influenza virus. In 2009, we saw a new and different flu virus, called H1N1 (or swine flu), that created the first global outbreak of disease caused by a new flu virus in more than 40 years. Although the H1N1 pandemic is over, HIN1 virus continues to circulate. That's why this year's flu shot will offer triple protection from H1N1 and two other strains of flu.
Here's what you need to know:
- Infants less than 6 months are too young to be immunized with influenza vaccine. Therefore it is important to vaccinate family members to protect them from the flu.
- Children between the ages of 6 months and 9 years will need two doses of this year's influenza vaccine 3-4 weeks apart, only if they have never received a flu shot before.
- All children 9 years of age and older only need one dose.
Talk with your primary care physician's office about your child receiving this seasonal vaccination.
For more information, please call Children's Hospital Colorado Flu Hotline: 720-777-4FLU (4358)
Getting your flu vaccine
Every adult and child older than 6 months of age should get a flu vaccine. Be sure to consult with your child's doctor about the flu vaccine. Also learn who is a top priority for the vaccine this season, how the vaccine works, side effects and other considerations.
Contact your doctor about getting vaccinated, or find a flu clinic in Colorado at Colorado Adult Immunization Coalition (CAIC).
Quick fact about the 2012-2013 vaccine
- Significant quantities of influenza vaccine are available in the United States.
- Vaccine is now available in the community. Getting your influenza vaccination in September is not too early!
- The flu vaccine is available in two forms: the flu shot and the nasal spray vaccine.
The flu shot is approved for children 6 months of age and older, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
The nasal spray vaccine is approved for use in healthy people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.
Learn about the dangers of the flu by watching this PSA
How can I prevent the flu?
- Get vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all adults and children older than 6 months receive a flu shot.
- Hand washing is one of the most important things you can do! Learn why and what is the best way to wash up!
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and, when you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
- Stay home when you are sick to prevent others from catching your illness. If possible, stay home from work, school, or public places until at least 24 hours after a fever has ceased without the use of fever-reducing medications. (A fever is defined as 100ºF or 37.8ºC.)
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don't have a tissue, then cough or sneeze into your sleeve. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
- If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
- Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing, washing with soap and water, or with alcohol-based hand cleaner.
- Avoid touching your face often because germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
Is it a cold, or the flu?
See the diagram below for help determining if your child has a cold or the flu.
What do I do if my child has flu symptoms?
If you suspect your child may have influenza, call your pediatrician or primary care provider for advice. If your child has flu-like symptoms and is only mildly ill, it is best to care for him or her at home and limit contact with others. If you think your child has a viral infection, make sure they are getting plenty of fluids. Do not give your child aspirin or aspirin-containing products (Pepto-Bismol, for example). Treat their fever with Tylenol or Motrin. Also, learn the things that can help your child feel better.
If your child exhibits more severe symptoms, contact your health care provider or seek urgent care or emergency care. See all of Children's Hospital Colorado Network of Care locations.
If you have questions about the flu you can also call the Colorado Health Information hotline at 1-877-462-2911.
When do I call my doctor?
If your child is experiencing influenza symptoms, it’s not always necessary to see or call your doctor. Below are some guidelines to help you decide when to call your family physician.
Call your child's doctor now (night or day) if:
- Your child looks or acts very sick
- Breathing becomes difficult or fast
- Dehydration occurs (no urine in 12 hours, dry mouth, no tears)
- Your child has bluish skin color
- Your child is not waking up or not interacting
- Your child is being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash occurs
Call your child's doctor during the day if:
- Your think your child needs to be seen
- Your child is considered high risk and has flu symptoms
- Earache or sinus pain occurs
- Fever lasts more than 3 days
- Cough lasts more than 3 weeks
- Your child becomes worse
Find a physician for your child
Your child’s doctor should be your primary resource for answers to your flu questions. If you do not have a doctor for your child, contact Children's Hospital Colorado ParentSmart HealthLine at 720-777-0123 or online for help finding a doctor and for answers to your general questions about the flu.