What to Do If Your Child Gets Sick with 

the Flu

Children younger than 5 years old have a greater chance of having problems 

with the flu. Children with a long term condition such as asthma and 

diabetes are also more likely to have severe problems if they get the flu. 

If your child is younger than 5 years of age or of any age with a long term 

health condition (like asthma or diabetes), and develops flu-like symptoms, 

they are at risk for serious complications from the flu.

Ask a doctor if your child should be examined.

Most children will get better without needing to go to the doctor. Other 

children may have more severe illness from the flu. A child of any age with 

severe signs of the flu should go to the doctor. 

Antiviral drugs used to treat the flu work best when started within the first 

2 days (48 hours) of getting sick. 

The doctor may start your child on antiviral drugs even after 48 hours from 

when flu signs started, especially if your child is in the hospital or has a 

higher chance of severe illness from the flu. 

CS 217340/2010 1

INFLUENZA (FLU) If Your Child Gets the Flu

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

INFLUENZA (FLU) If Your Child Gets the Flu

A fever is a temperature greater than or equal to 100 degrees Fahrenheit 

(37.8 degrees Celsius). If you do not have a thermometer, feel your child’s 

face. If your child feels warmer than normal, has a flushed appearance, is 

sweating, or is shivering, your child may have a fever. 

If your child has a fever there are medicines that can be used to reduce the 

fever. Some are sold at stores (over-the-counter) and you can buy them 

freely. Others require a prescription from a doctor. Make sure you talk to 

your doctor and see what medicine your doctor recommends based on your 

child’s age. 

Some medicines sold in stores (over-the-counter) are approved for children 

to make them feel better. You should call your doctor to make sure these 

medicines are okay for your child. Note that you should never give aspirin to 

children who might have the flu. 
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

INFLUENZA (FLU) If Your Child Gets the Flu

While your child is sick, make sure your child gets plenty of rest and drinks 

clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for 

infants, Pedialyte®) to make sure his or her body has the fluids it needs. 

Children can go back to school 24 hours after their fever is gone WITHOUT the use of medicine that lowers fever.

To reduce the spread of the flu, keep your sick child at home until at least 

24 hours after the fever is gone, except to get medical care.
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

INFLUENZA (FLU) If Your Child Gets the Flu

Things to do to reduce the spread of flu to others in the house: 

Keep your sick child in a separate room in the house as much as possible 

to limit contact with healthy household members.

Do not allow your child to share food or drinks with others. 

Try to have one person as the main caregiver for the sick child. If possible 

the caregiver should be someone who is not at high risk for severe flu, such as 

pregnant women or people with health conditions like asthma.

For more information call CDC info at 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636) or go to www.cdc.gov/flu.