Every parent dreads cold and flu season, and for good reason. When one of your child’s fellow students or playmates gets sick, it spreads quickly. This year’s flu season is shaping up to be the most intense in at least 15 years, with a significant rise in cases, hospitalizations, and fatalities. Experts stress that vaccination remains the best defense, yet flu shot uptake remains below optimal levels.

Despite the common misconception that cold weather directly causes colds or flu, people tend to get sick more in the winter due to spending more time indoors in close proximity--the weather itself doesn’t make people ill. Is there anything you can do this cold and flu season to lower your child’s chances of getting sick? Yes, with some common sense precautions and preventive measures, you can help your child avoid the flu and colds this winter.

First, it is important to understand the differences between a cold and influenza, commonly known as the flu. While both are respiratory illnesses, they are caused by different viruses. Influenza is highly contagious, and cases can range from mild to severe. Young children are among those at risk for serious flu complications. Flu is more dangerous than the common cold, and in some cases, can even lead to death.

Vaccinations

Influenza vaccinations are developed each year to help protect against the virus strains that experts predict will be most prevalent during flu season. Because of the vast number of viruses that can cause the common cold and the fact that these viruses continue to change over time, vaccines have not yet been developed that can address the common cold.

Flu vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect your child from severe illness. 

Helpful Tips for Parents:

  • Even if your child has already had the flu, the vaccine can still be beneficial. Many different flu viruses circulate, and the vaccine can protect against four different strains.
  • It’s best to get the flu shot before the end of October, but getting vaccinated later still offers protection for the rest of the season.
  • The flu vaccine can save lives, especially for children who are more vulnerable to flu-related complications.

Who Should Get the Flu Shot?

  • All children aged 6 months and older are recommended to receive the annual flu vaccine (with very few exceptions), according to the CDC.
  • Pregnant women and people with certain chronic health conditions should also get vaccinated.
  • The flu shot is safe for most children, including those with egg allergies.
  • Children aged 2 and older may also be eligible for the nasal spray flu vaccine but be sure to check with their pediatrician.

Who Should NOT Get the Flu Shot?

  • Children younger than 6 months old.
  • Children who have severe allergies to the flu vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine should not receive the shot. 

Babies under 6 months and children who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons rely on others around them to stay immunized for protection. The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages parents to keep their children up to date with vaccinations, including the flu vaccine, which not only protects them but also helps reduce the risk of outbreaks and prevents the spread of flu within the community.

Parents may have concerns about possible side effects from the flu vaccine. Most side effects, such as sore arm or mild fever, are short lived, and severe reactions are extremely rare. While potential side effects may be worrisome for parents, it’s important to remember that the flu vaccine helps to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and even death from the flu. If you have questions about your child’s flu vaccination, seek medical advice from your child’s pediatrician. Pediatricians have access to the latest scientific data and information and can address common concerns parents may have.

Causes and symptoms of flu

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu viruses are spread mainly by tiny airborne droplets made when people with the flu either cough, sneeze, or talk. Being near someone who is infected greatly increases the chances of developing the flu, and people can spread the flu to someone else before they know they are sick. Some otherwise healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick. It takes from one to four days after a person is infected for flu symptoms to appear but when they do, they usually come on suddenly. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms:

  • Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue (tiredness)
  • Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.


*It's important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

Causes and symptoms of a cold

Like the flu, colds are passed on by airborne droplets that are coughed or sneezed into the air by someone who is ill. Cold symptoms start one to three days after someone is exposed to a cold virus. According to the American Lung Association, the symptoms are usually different than flu. They typically start with a sore throat and progress through:

  • Runny nose or congestion
  • Sneezing
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Cough

Respiratory viruses such as colds can cause complications such as middle ear infections, sinus infections, asthma attacks, bronchiolitis (infection of the small airways), pneumonia (infection of the lungs), and worsening of chronic medical conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Top 6 Tips for Preventing Colds and Flu

Now that you know the symptoms to watch for, here are the top six tips for preventing the flu and common cold in kids this winter—and in their parents too.

  1. Get the latest flu vaccine – According to the CDC, this is the most important precaution anyone—children and adults—can take to stay healthy during flu season. It is never too late to get a flu shot at any point during flu season. While it may not always prevent getting the flu, it will minimize the length and severity of the illness itself. Click here to schedule your flu shot for you and your family.
  2. Teach your children good hand hygiene – One of the primary ways viruses are passed on is when someone touches their eyes, mouth or nose after they have been exposed to a virus. Teach your children to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (about the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice), especially after using the restroom, before eating, and after coughing or sneezing. And instruct them to avoid touching their eyes, nose, or mouth unless they have been recently washed or have applied hand sanitizer. According to the FDA and most health experts, you should never touch your eyes immediately after using hand sanitizer as the alcohol content can cause severe irritation and damage to the eye surface. Remind your children to always wait until their hands are completely dry before touching theirr face or eyes after applying hand sanitizer.
  3. Teach your children good respiratory etiquette – It is not only polite for someone to cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, but it also helps reduce the risk of infection in others. Teach your children to use tissues when sneezing or coughing, if possible, and throw them away immediately after use. Alternatively, your child should cough or sneeze into his or her elbow instead of the hands and use tissue to wipe away any residue, which should then be tossed out.
  4. Clean and disinfect - The flu virus can live on some surfaces for up to 48 hours. Cold germs can live on surfaces for up to one week, but they lose effectiveness after the first 24 hours. The viruses may be present even before anyone in your household or your visitors become ill. To be safe, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as door and cabinet handles, computer keyboards, and phones. Don’t forget to disinfect toys and play areas, especially if other kids have played with your child.
  5. Prevent close contact with people who are sick – Because these viruses are easily transmitted via the air when someone coughs or sneezes, it is wise to keep some distance from anyone who exhibits signs of being ill.
  6. Enhance your child’s immune system – A strong immune system is important for defending your child against any illness, including colds and the flu. Be sure your kids get plenty of rest, anywhere between nine and 14 hours a day depending on their age. A well-rounded diet full of fruits and vegetables can help boost your child's immune system. It’s also important for your child to stay hydrated to maintain overall health and resilience to illnesses. Finally, try to minimize stress in your child’s life. Stress can wreak havoc on your child's immune system, so make time for stress-relieving activities.

Finally, if your child is not feeling well or exhibiting cold or flu symptoms, keep him or her home from school, daycare or family gatherings. Kids easily spread contagious viruses in classrooms and playgrounds. Babies and the elderly are especially vulnerable to the flu virus, so avoid any close contact with those populations if your child gets sick. Kids should be fever-free for at least 24 hours before resuming normal activities at school and on the playground.

Remember, many of these principles apply to adults as well as children. It’s up to you as the parent to model behaviors that keep your entire family healthy.

If you have questions about your child’s immunization, visit memorialcare.org/Immunizations or call (877) 696-3622 to schedule an appointment with a pediatrician.

Graham Tse, M.D., FAAP, Chief Medical Officer at MemorialCare Miller Children’s Hospital & Women’s Hospital Long Beach is board-certified in pediatrics and pediatric critical care. He has served at Miller Children's & Women's for more than 20 years.

Dr. Tse also serves as the COVID-19 physician in charge for both MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center and MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach. He helps drive best practices, treatment protocols, and standards as well as COVID communications to medical staff.

Dr. Tse attended McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada for his undergraduate education and received his medical degree from the University of Ottawa. His clinical interests include quality, best practices, utilization management, organ donation, and clinical documentation improvement.

Additionally, Dr. Tse is a member of the Society of Critical Care Medicine and is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Canada. He has extensive experience in teaching at Miller Children’s & Women's and has received numerous awards, including Physician of the Year at Miller Children’s & Women's. In 2022, he also was recognized as a Top Los Angeles Doctor by the Los Angeles Business Journal.