Although all children younger than 5 years old are considered at higher risk for complications from flu, the highest risk is for those younger than 2 years old, with the highest hospitalization and death rates among infants younger than 6 months old.
People at Higher Risk from Flu
This includes people 65 years and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), pregnant people and children younger than 5 years, but especially those younger than 2 years old.
It's possible. The flu is highly contagious and if your child is infected with it, it's possible for them to start spreading the virus before showing symptoms. That's why the best protection against the flu is for everyone 6 months old and older to get an annual flu shot.
The same CID study found that children are most likely to get sick from flu and that people 65 and older are least likely to get sick from flu. Median incidence values (or attack rate) by age group were 9.3% for children 0-17 years, 8.8% for adults 18-64 years, and 3.9% for adults 65 years and older.
People most at risk of developing serious influenza-related complications include people age 65 years and older, people with chronic medical conditions (e.g., heart disease or diabetes), pregnant women, and young children, especially those younger than age 2 years.
All age groups can be affected but there are groups that are more at risk than others.
It's one of the most severe and common viral illnesses of the winter season. Most children are ill with the flu for less than a week. But some children have a more serious illness and may need to be treated in the hospital.
In general, the flu affects kids—and older adults—more severely than adults. In children, the fever associated with influenza is likely to be higher, on average, than an adult's fever. In addition, children more often experience symptoms related to the digestive system, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Certain genetic characteristics may provide additional protection from infection, while others may increase our susceptibility. Immune system: Our immune system consists of cells, tissues and organs to help fight infection and disease. Many health conditions may affect the immune system's ability to fight infection.
Anyone can get the flu, but infection rates are highest among children (~20-30 percent annually).
Kids typically catch the flu once every two years, whereas adults over age 30 get the flu about twice a decade, a study of people living in China found. To know for sure whether someone had the flu, researchers search the blood for antibodies against the flu virus.
The flu is a very contagious virus. An infected person often becomes contagious, or capable of spreading the virus to other people, even before they begin to show symptoms. Also, it's possible to spread flu germs to others for up to seven days after becoming ill.
In general, flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms are typically more intense and begin more abruptly. Colds are usually milder than flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose than people who have flu.
Scientists only recently discovered that humans naturally generate anti-HA stem antibodies in response to flu infection, and this is the first study of its kind to evaluate pre-existing levels of these specific antibodies as a predictor of protection against influenza.
Yes, being exposed to the flu does not automatically mean you will catch it. If you have gotten your annual flu shot, you are significantly less likely to contract the flu. Practicing good hand hygiene and avoiding touching your mouth, nose, or eyes also helps.
Flu Risk Factors
chronic lung diseases such as asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, or cystic fibrosis. heart disease. chronic kidney disease. diabetes or other chronic metabolic disorder.
People with flu are most contagious in the first three to four days after their illness begins. However, infants and people with weakened immune systems who are infected with flu viruses may be contagious for longer than seven days.
Flu A is more severe in adults. Flu B is more common in children, and although it's generally mild to moderate in healthy children, it can be more severe in children under age 5 (possibly due to less previous exposure and therefore lower immunity).
Symptoms of the flu start rapidly, and people can go from fine in the morning to bed ridden in the evening. The flu is worst between the day 1 and day 4 mark, after which time people begin to show signs of improvement. Once at day 7 people are usually fine and happy to go on with their lives.
Weaker immune systems
According to Clark, the younger a child is, the less mature their immune systems are, and therefore, they have a higher risk of contracting the flu virus and having severe complications from contracting the flu.
All children younger than 5 are at high risk for flu, especially children younger than 2. Children who were born preterm or who have chronic health conditions, like asthma or sickle cell disease, also are at high risk.
When is the flu season in Australia? Australia's flu season has historically been April to October each year. But the 2023 flu season had an early start, just like 2022, when it started in March and peaked May-June.
In the United States, the flu season is considered October through May. It typically reaches an apex in February, with a seasonal baseline varying between 6.1% and 7.7% of all deaths. In Australia, the flu season is considered May to October. It usually peaks in August.
Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February, although significant activity can last as late as May. Since the start of the COVID pandemic, the timing and duration of flu activity has been less predictable.