The Flu in Children

Updated for the 2025-2026 flu season

Key points about the flu in children

• The best way to protect your child from the flu and reduce their risk of serious complications is to have the yearly flu vaccine. We recommend the flu vaccine for all children 6 months and older.
• The flu is a very contagious viral infection most common during colder months.
• Most children with the flu get better on their own.
• Flu symptoms include a high fever, body aches, a cough, and other symptoms.
• The flu can cause serious health complications, and in rare cases, death.
• The flu may be treated with acetaminophen and antiviral medicine.
• At-home treatments include rest and drinking plenty of fluids.

What is the flu?

Influenza, also called the flu, is a viral respiratory infection that is most common during colder months. It is very contagious, which means it can spread easily and quickly between people. The flu causes a high fever, body aches, a cough, and other symptoms. Though most children with the flu usually get better on their own, the flu can be very serious, and even dangerous. It can cause serious health complications that are best treated in the hospital.

The best way to protect your child from the flu and reduce their risk of serious complications is to make sure they get their flu vaccine every year.

The vaccine helps to protect them and the people around them. Talk with your child’s primary care provider, or PCP, if you have questions about how vaccines work and how they prevent flu.

Which children are at risk of the flu?

Everyone is at risk of the flu. Your child is more likely to get the flu if they:

• Are around people that have the flu.
• Didn’t receive a flu vaccine.
• Don't wash their hands frequently.
• Touch their mouth, nose, or eyes after touching shared surfaces.

Young children, children with certain health conditions, and unvaccinated children have a higher risk of complications from the flu.

What are symptoms of the flu?

Flu symptoms can affect the whole body. A child can become suddenly ill with any or all flu symptoms. High fevers, up to 105°F, or 40.5°C, are a normal part of the body’s response to the flu. Symptoms like cough and fatigue may last for up to 4 weeks after having the flu. Most children will start to feel better within a week.

The flu is different from the common cold

The flu is different from the common cold, though their symptoms can be similar. Children with the flu will feel much worse than they do when they have a cold. The table below will help you understand the differences between the flu and a cold.

Flu Symptoms	Common Cold Symptoms
High fever, up to 103°F to 105°F, or 39.4°C to 40.5°C	No fever or a low fever around 100.4°F to 102°F, or 38°C to 38.9°C
Body aches	Mild body aches
Fatigue, or feeling extremely tired	Feeling a little tired
Cough that can last up to 4 weeks	Mild cough
Headache	Mild or no headache
Nausea or vomiting	No nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea	No diarrhea
No sneezing	Sneezing

If your child has any flu symptoms, schedule an appointment with your child’s primary care provider.

What causes the flu and how does it spread?

The flu is caused by viruses. There are 3 different forms of the flu virus:

• Types A and B are very contagious and make a lot of people sick every year. Many people often need to go to the hospital for care and, in severe cases, have died of complications from the flu.
• Type C causes very mild symptoms, like a cough or runny nose. It will get better on its own.

The flu can spread between people before any symptoms start. It is most contagious 24 hours before any symptoms start. After symptoms start, the flu can spread through sneezing, coughing, or sharing utensils or drinks. The risk of spreading it to others often ends 5 to 7 days after symptoms started.

The virus can also live for a short amount of time on shared surfaces like doorknobs, toys, pens or pencils, keyboards, phones and tablets, and countertops. Your child can get the flu if they touch items that have the flu virus on them, then touch their mouth, nose, or eyes. Remind your child to wash their hands frequently during winter months and avoid touching their mouth, nose, or eyes.

How is the flu diagnosed?

The flu is usually diagnosed by its symptoms. If your child has flu symptoms, their care team may order a nose or throat swab. This tests for flu or other respiratory illnesses. The results can help the care team know how best to treat your child.

How is the flu treated?

The flu is treated based on your child’s age, overall health, and symptoms. The goal of treatment is to keep symptoms from getting worse. If your child has the flu, it is important to make sure they rest and drink plenty of fluids. Antibiotics do not work against viral infections like the flu, so they are not prescribed.

The care team may recommend the following medicines if your child has the flu:

• Acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol®. It can help reduce body aches and fever.
• Ibuprofen, also known as Motrin® or Advil®. It can also help reduce body aches and fever. Never give ibuprofen to an infant younger than 6 months of age.
• Antiviral medicine, such as Tamiflu®, may make flu symptoms less severe, reduce the risk of complications, and help your child recover sooner. It is best to start antivirals within 2 days after flu symptoms start. Antivirals must be prescribed by your child’s primary care provider.

Do not give aspirin to children or teens unless your child’s primary care provider says it is safe. Aspirin can put your child at risk for Reye syndrome, a rare but serious condition.

What are possible complications of the flu?

Less severe complications of the flu can include ear infections. More severe complications may include:

• Pneumonia or similar lung infections.
• Febrile seizures. In children who are 6 months old to 5 years old, high fevers may cause a seizure.

Children and teens with certain health conditions, and children who are not vaccinated, are more likely to have severe complications if they get the flu. Children with severe complications may need to stay in the hospital. In very serious cases, the flu can lead to death.

If your child has any of the following symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room:

• Difficulty breathing, such as breathing faster than normal or grunting when they breathe.
• Using stomach or neck muscles to breathe, also called retractions.
• Lips, tongue, or skin that are pale, blue, or gray in color, also called cyanosis.
• Passes out or is difficult to wake up.
• Not able to drink liquids.
• Body aches so severe, they refuse to walk or move.
• Seizures.
• A fever in an infant less than 12 weeks old.
• Has less than 3 wet diapers or pees less than 3 times within 24 hours.

How can I prevent the flu in my child?

The best way to prevent the flu and any serious complications is to get a flu vaccine every year. We recommend the flu vaccine for all children 6 months and older. Children and teens with certain health conditions, and children who are not vaccinated, are more likely to have severe complications if they get the flu.

If your child has any of the following health conditions or if they live with someone with these conditions, it is very important they get the flu vaccine:

• Chronic health conditions of the heart, lungs, kidneys, or liver.
• An endocrine disorder, like diabetes.
• A compromised immune system, due to HIV/AIDS, long-term use of steroids, or other immune-suppressing medicines.
• A blood disorder, such as sickle cell disease.
• Take aspirin as part of their medical treatment.

In addition to the flu vaccine, below are things you and your family can do to help prevent the flu:

• Wash hands often.
• Avoid people who are sick.
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Use a tissue or cough or sneeze in the crook of your arm.
• Wear a medical mask during flu season when in large groups or in public spaces.
• Clean surfaces in the home that are frequently touched.

Information about the flu vaccine

The flu vaccine is updated every year to protect against the flu viruses most likely to spread that season. That’s why a flu vaccine is needed every year. It is always available before the flu season starts and can be given at the same time as other vaccines. Talk with your child’s primary care provider if you have questions about how vaccines work and how they prevent illnesses.

When should my child get the flu vaccine?

Children should get the flu vaccine as soon as it is available. This gives your child the best protection for the flu season.

If your child is between the ages of 6 months and 8 years AND it is their first time getting the flu vaccine, they will need 2 doses. Get the first dose as soon as the vaccine is available, then the second dose 1 month later. This helps the body build protection against the flu.

How is the flu vaccine given?

The flu vaccine is available as an injection into the muscle. For babies and young children, it's given in the thigh muscle. In older children, it's given in the upper arm muscle.

The flu vaccine is also available as a nasal spray for healthy children over the age of 2. Children and teens with certain medical conditions, including pregnancy, cannot use the nasal spray vaccine. Always talk with your child’s primary care provider to see which form of the vaccine is the best for your child.

What are the side effects from the flu vaccine?

Side effects of the flu vaccine may include a mild headache or a low fever. These usually only last for about 1 day. If your child received the vaccine as an injection, their arm may be sore.

The vaccine doesn't cause the flu. Side effects can be treated with over-the-counter medicines, such as Tylenol®. Do not give aspirin to children or teens unless your child’s primary care provider says it is safe. Aspirin can put your child at risk for Reye syndrome, a rare but serious condition.

When should you contact your child's primary care provider?

Contact your child’s primary care provider:

• If your child gets worse or develops any new symptoms.
• If you have any questions or need more information about the flu, the common cold, or vaccines.