August 17, 2005 Page 1 of 2

Fact Sheet

Protecting Against Influenza (Flu): Advice for Caregivers of

Children Less Than 2 Years Old 

Background 

Recent studies have shown that children less than 2 years old — even previously healthy children — are 

more likely than older children to end up in the hospital with serious complications if they get influenza 

(the flu). These complications can include pneumonia (an illness in which the lungs get infected and 

inflamed), dehydration (when a child is too sick to drink enough fluids and its body loses too much water),

worsening of long-term medical problems like heart disease or asthma, encephalopathy (a disease of the 

brain), and sinus problems and ear infections. In rare cases, complications from the flu can lead to death.

Because children are at increased risk of getting severe illness from the flu, CDC recommends that all

children 6 months to 23 months old get a flu shot. (Flu shots are not approved for use in children less 

than 6 months old.) Also, household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children less than 2 years old 

should get vaccinated against the flu. This is particularly important for contacts of children less than 6 

months of age, because children less than 6 months old cannot be vaccinated themselves and cannot be

given antiviral medications to treat the flu. 

Advice for Caregivers of Children Less Than 2 Years Old 

1.) Get Vaccinated

If you live with or care for a child less than 2 years old, you are in a priority group for flu vaccination. 

There are two types of influenza vaccines: 

The "flu shot" — an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle — is approved 

for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical 

conditions. 

The nasal-spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened influenza viruses — is approved for use 

in healthy people 5 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant. 

October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but you can still get vaccinated in December and 

later. Flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May. For more information about 

vaccination, see Key Facts About Flu Vaccines (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm). 

2.) Practice Good Health Habits 

Certain good health habits can help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses like the flu. Protect yourself 

and your child by following these steps routinely: 

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze—throw the tissue away after you use 

it. 

 

Wash your hands often with soap and water, and as soon as possible after you cough or sneeze on them. 

If you are not near water, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner. 

Keep you and your baby away from people who are coughing or sneezing, as much as you can. 

Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth since germs can spread this way. 
Protecting Against Influenza (Flu): Advice for Caregivers of Children Less Than 2 Years Old 

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August 17, 2005 Page 2 of 2

Advice for Caregivers Who Get the Flu 

In addition to vaccination, if you live with or care for a child less than 2 years old, follow the precautions 

below to help to prevent the spread of illness to your child.

1.) Remember How the Flu Spreads 

The main way that flu spreads is in respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing. This can happen 

when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled through the air and infect 

someone nearby. Though much less frequent, the flu may also spread through indirect contact with 

respiratory droplets. 

2.) Follow These Steps 

If you get flu-like symptoms (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm), which can include a fever, headache,

tiredness, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, or body aches, follow the precautions below: 

Check with your health-care provider. (If you have influenza, your doctor may prescribe antiviral

medications for you.) 

If you work in day care, do not go to work if you become sick. 

Try to minimize contact with your child as much as possible. 

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing, and put your used tissue in a waste 

basket. 

Wash your hands often with soap and water and as soon as possible after you sneeze or cough on them. If 

you are not near water use an alcohol-based hand rub. 

Take these precautions for the first 5 days of your illness (beginning the first day you notice symptoms). 

 

3.) Be Watchful 

Observe your child closely for symptoms of respiratory illness. If they develop a fever (100°F or higher

under the arm, 101°F orally, or 102°F rectally), respiratory symptoms, or are less responsive than 

normal, contact your child's doctor. 

For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/flu or call the CDC Flu Information Line at 

(800) CDC-INFO (English and Spanish) or (800) 243-7889 (TTY).