Flu in young children

Flu in young children

Back to top

WHAT IS FLU?

Flu is a worldwide illness that can affect anyone. Flu spreads quickly and easily through coughing and sneezing. It causes respiratory infections, which can result in you getting very sick, being hospitalised and even dying.1,2
Back to top

ARE MY YOUNG CHILDREN AT RISK FOR FLU?

Children are very susceptible to flu. Between 20 and 30% of children contract flu each year, compared to 5-10% of adults. 3 Flu leads to the annual hospitalisation of approximately 870,000 children under 5 years old worldwide. 3 Children contribute to the spread of flu in the community due to:3
  • Close contact with other children at school and day care
  • Close contact with adults and the elderly
  • Poor hygiene habits
  • Limited pre-existing immunity
Up to 650,000 people worldwide and over 11,000 people in South Africa, die from flu each year.1,3 Up to 5 million people worldwide, including more than 45,000 South Africans, get severely ill from flu each year.1,3 Almost 50% of these affected South Africans need to be hospitalised.3 Getting a flu vaccine every year is one of the most effective ways to prevent getting flu, and to reduce getting severely ill, being hospitalised and dying.1,3
[video width="1920" height="1080" mp4="http://dbank.medinformer.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/19468-5-things-Vaxigrip-December-5.mp4"][/video]
In many cases, influenza infection in young children is associated with severe symptoms, frequent healthcare use, and inappropriate antibiotic use.3 It is important to get the flu vaccine to protect young people against influenza, which helps to reduce the burden on the health system
Back to top

WHY SHOULD MY CHILD GET A FLU VACCINE?

  • Reduces the risk of severe illness and hospitalisation.
  • Reduces the risk of illness, which can keep your child from missing school or childcare and you from having to miss work.
  • Reduces the high risk of developing serious complications especially if your child is younger than 5 years, or of any age with certain chronic conditions.
  • Helps prevent spreading flu to family and friends, including babies younger than 6 months who are too young to get a flu vaccine.
More information on HIGH RISK INDIVIDUALS 
Download PDF

Medical References


Content Disclaimer:
You understand and acknowledge that all users of the Dis-Chem website or app are responsible for their own medical care, treatment, and oversight. All of the content provided on the website, are for INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content is not intended to establish a standard of care to be followed by a user of the website. You understand and acknowledge that you should always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. You also understand and acknowledge that you should never disregard or delay seeking medical advice relating to treatment or standard of care because of information contained in or transmitted through the website. Medical information changes constantly. Therefore the information on this website or on the linked websites should not be considered current, complete or exhaustive, nor should you rely on such information to recommend a course of treatment for you or any other individual. Reliance on any information provided on this website or any linked websites is solely at your own risk.
Back to top