Parents and child care providers can help prevent and slow the spread of the flu. The flu (influenza) is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. Flu infections are highly contagious. They spread easily when children are in a group with other children such as in a child care center or family child care home.
Flu is more dangerous than the common cold for children and can lead to serious health conditions like pneumonia or bacterial infections. Each year many children are hospitalized and some die from the flu.
The following resources provide information on preventing the flu. Materials and tools for child care facilities are also included.
Protecting Children with Chronic Health Conditions
Children and adolescents with a chronic health condition, such asthma, diabetes and disorders of the brain or nervous system are at high risk for flu complications.
· Flu: A Guide for Parents of Children and Adolescents with Chronic Health Conditions
Flu Vaccine Information
The flu vaccine is the best way to protect against getting the flu. All people 6 months and older need a flu vaccine each year. Babies cannot get vaccinated until they are 6 months old. It is critical that people who live with or care for children, especially infants younger than 6 months, get vaccinated. Vaccinating adults who are around an infant to prevent illnesses is often referred to as “cocooning.”
· Inactivated Influenza (Flu) Vaccine: What You Need to Know
· Live, Intranasal Influenza Vaccine: What You Need to Know
· Vaccines Your Child Needs
Fighting Germs
A few minutes killing germs can go a long way toward keeping you and those around you healthy. As adults, we know to wash our hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing, sneezing, or wiping noses. It is also important to cover your own mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Parents and child care providers can do their part to kill germs and also teach young children how and when to wash their hands.
· Hand Washing: A Powerful Antidote to Illness
· Germ Prevention Strategies
· Cleaners, Sanitizers & Disinfectants
Preventing the Spread of Illness in Child Care
Young children who have just entered child care are more vulnerable to infectious diseases. This is because it may be the first time they have been exposed to certain germs. In addition, they may be too young to have received enough doses ofrecommended vaccines to have developed immunity.
There are steps that caregivers and teachers can take to prevent the spread of infection in child care.
· Preventing the Spread of Illness in Child Care or Schools
How Sick is Too Sick?
When children are healthy, they can go to child care or school, and parents can go to work. Getting the flu vaccine is the best way to make sure everyone can continue to participate in these important activities. However, when a child feels too sick to participate in activities, or requires care beyond what the caregivers can provide without compromising their ability to care for other children, that child may need to stay home.
· Treating Your Child’s Cold or Flu (Video)
· How to Manage Colds and Flu
· When to Keep Your Child Home From School
Additional Resources for Parents & Child Care Providers
· Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools, 3rd Edition - Completely revised and updated, the new 3rd edition of this award-winning quick reference guide provides the latest information on preventing and managing infectious diseases in child care and school settings. (AAP Bookstore)
· AAP Putting the Immunization Picture into Focus (AAP.org)
· AAP Childhood Immunization Support Program (CISP) (AAP.org)
· Flu.gov (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
· PreventChildhoodInfluenza.org (National Foundation for Infectious Diseases/Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition)
· FamiliesFightingFlu.org
Last Updated 10/1/2013
Source American Academy of Pediatrics (Copyright © 2013)
The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
Flu is more dangerous than the common cold for children and can lead to serious health conditions like pneumonia or bacterial infections. Each year many children are hospitalized and some die from the flu.
The following resources provide information on preventing the flu. Materials and tools for child care facilities are also included.
Protecting Children with Chronic Health Conditions
Children and adolescents with a chronic health condition, such asthma, diabetes and disorders of the brain or nervous system are at high risk for flu complications.
· Flu: A Guide for Parents of Children and Adolescents with Chronic Health Conditions
Flu Vaccine Information
The flu vaccine is the best way to protect against getting the flu. All people 6 months and older need a flu vaccine each year. Babies cannot get vaccinated until they are 6 months old. It is critical that people who live with or care for children, especially infants younger than 6 months, get vaccinated. Vaccinating adults who are around an infant to prevent illnesses is often referred to as “cocooning.”
· Inactivated Influenza (Flu) Vaccine: What You Need to Know
· Live, Intranasal Influenza Vaccine: What You Need to Know
· Vaccines Your Child Needs
Fighting Germs
A few minutes killing germs can go a long way toward keeping you and those around you healthy. As adults, we know to wash our hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing, sneezing, or wiping noses. It is also important to cover your own mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Parents and child care providers can do their part to kill germs and also teach young children how and when to wash their hands.
· Hand Washing: A Powerful Antidote to Illness
· Germ Prevention Strategies
· Cleaners, Sanitizers & Disinfectants
Preventing the Spread of Illness in Child Care
Young children who have just entered child care are more vulnerable to infectious diseases. This is because it may be the first time they have been exposed to certain germs. In addition, they may be too young to have received enough doses ofrecommended vaccines to have developed immunity.
There are steps that caregivers and teachers can take to prevent the spread of infection in child care.
· Preventing the Spread of Illness in Child Care or Schools
How Sick is Too Sick?
When children are healthy, they can go to child care or school, and parents can go to work. Getting the flu vaccine is the best way to make sure everyone can continue to participate in these important activities. However, when a child feels too sick to participate in activities, or requires care beyond what the caregivers can provide without compromising their ability to care for other children, that child may need to stay home.
· Treating Your Child’s Cold or Flu (Video)
· How to Manage Colds and Flu
· When to Keep Your Child Home From School
Additional Resources for Parents & Child Care Providers
· Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools, 3rd Edition - Completely revised and updated, the new 3rd edition of this award-winning quick reference guide provides the latest information on preventing and managing infectious diseases in child care and school settings. (AAP Bookstore)
· AAP Putting the Immunization Picture into Focus (AAP.org)
· AAP Childhood Immunization Support Program (CISP) (AAP.org)
· Flu.gov (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
· PreventChildhoodInfluenza.org (National Foundation for Infectious Diseases/Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition)
· FamiliesFightingFlu.org
Last Updated 10/1/2013
Source American Academy of Pediatrics (Copyright © 2013)
The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
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