Influenza (say: in-floo-EN-zah) is also called the flu. It's an infection that causes a fever, chills, cough, body aches, headaches, and sometimes earaches or sinus problems. It also sometimes cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
The flu is caused by the influenza virus (say: VY-rus). A virus is a microorganism (say: my-kroh-OR-guh-niz-uhm), which means it's so small that you would need a strong microscope to see it.
Health experts recommend that all people age 6 months and older get the flu vaccine (say: vak-SEEN) each year. If you're a kid, that means you!
For kids, there are two types of flu vaccines:
This flu season (2022–2023) both types seem to work equally well. You should get whatever type of vaccine your doctor suggests. Some kids can't get the spray mist, such as those with weak immune systems or some medical conditions like asthma.
If you get the flu vaccine, it will protect you from getting a bad case of the flu. You either won't get the flu at all, or if you do get it, your symptoms will be mild and you should get better pretty quickly.
Here's what the vaccine means for most kids:
Some people are at higher risk of problems if they get the flu, including:
So if you're a kid who has asthma, diabetes, or another health problem, it's extra important that you get the flu vaccine. This is true too if you live with someone who has a health problem, or with a grandparent or a pregnant mom, so you can protect them.
Flu viruses usually cause the most illness during the colder months of the year. In the United States, flu season is from October to May. Flu vaccines are usually given before flu season starts. In the U.S., it's best to get it before the end of October.
You might wonder why you have to get a flu vaccine every year. Here's why: There are lots of different flu viruses. Each year, researchers choose the three or four viruses most likely to cause trouble. The flu vaccine includes protection against those three or four, which can vary from year to year.
This virus gets around in little drops that spray out of an infected person's mouth and nose when they sneeze, cough, or even laugh. You can catch the flu from someone who has it if you breathe in some of those tiny flu-infected drops.
You also can catch the flu if those drops get on your hands and you touch your mouth or nose. No wonder people are always saying to cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands. And while you're at it, wash your hands well and often!
If your doctor thinks you might have the flu, they might use a long cotton swab to get a sample of the gunk in your nose. Testing this sample in a lab can show if you have the flu.
But usually this isn't needed. Based on your symptoms and how you look, your doctor can usually tell if you have the flu, especially during times when a lot of flu is going around your town.
If your doctor says you have the flu, start taking these steps to feel better:
Most of the time, kids with the flu feel better in about a week. Until they do, they have to stay home from school and take it easy.
We hope you're flu-free this year, but if you do get the flu, now you know what to do!
Reviewed by: Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD
Date Reviewed: Nov 16, 2022