How Flu Spreads
Flu viruses can spread to your child through coughing, sneezing, or contact with someone who has the flu. Children can also become infected by touching something with the flu virus on it, and then touching their mouth or nose.
Because children spend a large part of their day in close contact with other children in school or day care, they are more likely to get the flu than other age groups. In fact, children aged 5-14 are nearly 4 times more likely to get the flu than adults.
Children are also the main source of flu infection for everyone else. School-aged children can spread flu to classmates, family members, the elderly, and other people at high risk of flu complications.
Make sure you know the symptoms and statistics regarding the dangers of flu in children.
Learn about effective ways to help prevent the flu in your children »
FACT: Nearly half of the 153 flu-related deaths in the 2003-2004 flu season occurred in healthy children who were under 18.