Is the flu dangerous for children to have?
Flu is more dangerous than the common cold for children. Each year, seasonal flu places a large burden on the health and well-being of children and families.
- Children commonly need medical care because of influenza, especially before they turn 5 years old.
- Each year an average of 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized because of influenza complications.
- Some children will die from the flu each year. During the 2007-08 flu season, CDC received reports that 86 children died from influenza-related complications.
- Severe influenza complications are most common in children younger than 2 years old.
- Children with chronic health problems like asthma and diabetes are at especially high risk of developing serious flu complications.
This year there is a new and very different flu virus spreading worldwide among people called 2009 H1N1 flu. This virus may cause more illness or more severe illness than usual. Children are at high risk from this influenza virus as well.
Last Reviewed: 09/30/2009
Related Questions:
- How have different age groups been affected by H1N1 flu in terms of death?
- What can be done to protect children from flu complications and death?
- How many children have died from flu-associated complications during previous flu seasons?
- Is my child who has asthma at higher risk for flu-related complications?
- How are flu hospitalizations and deaths tracked and reported this season?
