Tips for Navigating Flu Season

Every year, the flu makes many kids sick—and for some, it can lead to serious problems. The good news is that there are effective ways to protect your child and your community. This blog explains how flu vaccines and antiviral medicines work, what to expect if your child gets the flu, and how to separate facts from common myths.

Why the Flu Vaccine Matters

The flu vaccine is a safe, quick, and effective way to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from the flu. The flu viruses change each year, so the vaccine can’t prevent every infection, but it does make illness milder and less dangerous.

Vaccinating your child also helps protect infants, grandparents, and others in the community who are at higher risk.

Choosing the Right Flu Vaccine

There are two ways to protect against influenza: the flu shot or FluMist (nasal spray).

Flu Shot:

• Given in the arm
• Uses an inactivated (killed) virus and cannot cause the flu
• Safe for most children, including those with chronic medical conditions or weakened immune systems
• Recommended for children 6 months and older
• Most common side effect is mild arm soreness

FluMist:

• Sprayed into each nostril
• Uses a weakened live virus
• For healthy children ages 2 and older
• Not recommended for children with asthma, certain medical conditions, or weakened immune systems
• Side effects may include nasal congestion or irritation

Both options are safe and work well. Your child’s age, health history, and comfort level can help guide the choice. If you’re unsure, we’re happy to help you decide.

Antiviral Medicines: Treating the Flu

There are medicines that can help treat the flu. Antivirals such as Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Xofluza (baloxavir) can shorten illness and reduce the risk of complications when started within 48 hours of symptom onset. Antivirals don’t work like antibiotics. Instead of killing the flu virus, they slow its ability to multiply in the body.

Who should get antivirals?

• Children who are very ill or hospitalized
• Children under age 5
• Children with high-risk conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or weakened immune systems)

Please note: To be prescribed antivirals, your child must test positive for influenza at one of our clinics. At-home test results do not qualify for us to call in an antiviral prescription.

Who may also benefit?

If there are enough medicines available, healthy kids with mild flu can get antivirals too, especially if they live with someone who is at higher risk for complications from the flu. Your Primary Care Provider (PCP) will help you decide if this is right for your child.

Tamiflu vs. Xofluza (Both medicines work well)

• Tamiflu is more commonly used, well-studied, safe for younger children, and typically less expensive
• Xofluza is a single-dose medication approved for children 5 and up, but it is newer and costs more

Using Antivirals Wisely

Flu viruses can become resistant if antiviral medicines are overused or not taken as prescribed. That’s why we recommend these medications only when they’re most likely to help and why it’s important to complete the full course if prescribed.

Possible Side Effects

Most children tolerate antivirals well, but there can be side effects. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or headache. Serious side effects are rare. Giving the medication with food, or having your child eat about 30 minutes beforehand, can help reduce stomach upset. Please call us if anything concerns you.

Flu Myths—Busted

• Myth: The flu shot can give you the flu.
• Fact: Flu vaccines cannot cause the flu. They help your immune system fight it.

• Myth: Healthy kids don’t need a flu shot.
• Fact: Even healthy kids can get very sick from the flu. The vaccine protects everyone.

• Myth: You don’t need medicine if you get the flu.
• Fact: Some kids need antiviral medicines to avoid serious problems. Your child’s PCP can help decide what’s best.

• Myth: Tamiflu causes hallucinations.
• Fact: Studies show unusual behavior is more often related to the flu itself, especially high fever, not the medication.

• Myth: Vitamin C or herbal remedies can prevent the flu.
• Fact: Only the flu vaccine and good hygiene (like washing hands) have been proven to help prevent the flu.

What to Do If You Suspect the Flu

Schedule a sick visit so your child can be evaluated and tested, if appropriate. Flu symptoms often start suddenly and may include fever, body aches, chills, headache, cough, runny nose, and sore throat.

It’s common for children to feel very ill for the first 3–4 days. Fever may last several days, congestion up to 1–2 weeks, and cough up to 3 weeks.

To help your child feel better:

• Encourage plenty of fluids and rest
• Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen (for children over 6 months) to reduce fever or discomfort
• Use nasal suctioning or nasal irrigation to relieve congestion and help your child breathe, eat, and sleep more comfortably
• Visit our Fever blog to learn more about taking your child’s temperature and managing fever
• Remember that antibiotics do not treat the flu

Call your child’s PCP if your child is under 5, has a chronic condition, or develops complications.

Call Your Child’s PCP If You Notice:

• Trouble breathing including fast breathing or pulling in between the ribs
• Signs of dehydration
• Ear pain or sinus pain
• Fever lasting more than 4 days or above 104°F
• Cough lasting longer than 3 weeks
• Worsening symptoms or concern your child needs to be seen

You can also use the symptom checker on our website or call your clinic to speak with a nurse.

Staying Home and Preventing Spread

Children with the flu should stay home from school or childcare until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine.

To help prevent spread:

• Get the flu vaccine every year
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow
• Clean commonly touched surfaces
• Stay home when sick

Key Takeaways and Encouragement

Protecting kids from the flu is important. Getting the flu vaccine, using antiviral medicines when needed, and knowing the facts can help keep your child healthy. If you have questions, your child’s PCP is always there to help. Let’s work together to keep our families safe and strong this flu season!