Fact Sheet: Flu and Colds in Children

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Children are at high risk of complications and serious illness from the flu. Indeed, only elderly people over age 74 are at higher risk than kids!!! Fact: Children under 2 years old -- even healthy children -- are more likely than other children to be hospitalized from the flu. Flu season spans November through March. How can you tell if your child may have the flu? Flu symptoms are more severe than those with colds and tend to come on abruptly. Flu symptoms in children may include:

• A sudden fever (usually above 101)
• Chills and shakes with the fever
• Extreme tiredness
• Headache and body aches
• Dry, hacking cough
• Sore throat
• Vomiting and belly pain
• Stuffy nose