Children are at high risk of complications and serious illness from the flu. Indeed, only elderly people over age 74 are at higher risk than kids!!!

Fact: Children under 2 years old -- even healthy children -- are more likely than other children to be hospitalized from the flu.

Flu season spans November through March.

How can you tell if your child may have the flu?

Flu symptoms are more severe than those with colds and tend to come on abruptly. Flu symptoms in children may include:

• A sudden fever (usually above 101)
• Chills and shakes with the fever
• Extreme tiredness
• Headache and body aches
• Dry, hacking cough
• Sore throat
• Vomiting and belly pain
• Stuffy nose

A child will usually feel the worst during the first two or three days.

Complications of the flu may include a sinus infection or pneumonia. Call your pediatrician if the fever last more than three to four days, or if your child complains of trouble breathing, ear pain, congestion in the face or head, or a persistent cough.

How can you prevent the flu?

The No. 1 way to prevent the flu is by getting an annual flu shot.

• The "flu shot" does not contain live virus. It is an inactivated vaccine that is given by injection.
• It is approved for use in anyone older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions.
• All children aged 6 to 23 months should get a flu shot because they are at high risk of complications.

A nasal flu vaccine also exists. It is called FluMist and contains weakened viruses. These weakened strains usually do not cause illness because they have lost strength, but they can sometimes cause flu. Only healthy children aged 5 or older may receive the nasal-spray flu vaccine. Younger children may not.

The best time to get vaccinated is October or November.

Children getting a flu shot for the first time need two doses given a month apart. About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against infection. Flu vaccines will not protect against flu-like illnesses caused by other viruses.

How do you treat a child with the flu?

Antibiotics are ineffective against the flu. Home treatments include:

• Rest
• Drink plenty of liquids
• Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen to lower fever and reduce aches. Both are available in children's formulations.
• Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms, particularly fever. Aspirin may increase risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare disorder that occurs almost exclusively in children under the age of 15 and can cause severe liver and brain damage.
• Talk with your doctor before giving any child under age 6 an over-the-counter cold or flu medicine.
• In very young children with congestion, use a nasal bulb to gently remove mucus. You may also spray three drops of saline nasal spray into each nostril.

Antiviral drugs are also available by prescription to treat the flu. In some cases, they can also be used to prevent infection. These drugs block the replication of the flu virus; preventing its spread. Antiviral medications include:

• Tamiflu (oseltamivir) - for children 1 year and older
• Flumadine (rimantadine) - for children 1 year and older
• Symmetrel (amantadine) - for children 1 year and older
• Relenza (zanamivir) - for children 7 years and older

Colds

Colds are minor infections of the nose and throat that are caused by more than 250 different types of cold viruses. Rhinoviruses are the most common. Colds typically last for one week, but may linger in children.

Fact: Children get an average of six to eight colds per year.

Cold season runs from about September until March or April.

How can you tell if your child may have a cold?

Cold symptoms tend to come on gradually, and may include:

• Runny nose
• Congestion
• Sneezing
• Reduced sense of taste and smell
• Scratchy throat
• Cough

How can you prevent the common cold?

Colds are hard to prevent, but here are top tips from experts:

• Avoid contact with people who have a cold.
• Wash your hands after touching anyone with a cold.
• Keep your child home when they are sick to help prevent others from catching the cold.
• Encourage your child to cover his or her mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Discourage your child from touching his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

How do you treat a child with a cold?

Antibiotics are ineffective against colds. They should only be used if there are clear signs of a bacterial infection, such as an increasing cough and thickened, cloudy mucus. Recommended care for children with colds includes:

• Rest
• Drink plenty of liquids (including tea, water, and juice).
• Put a humidifier in your child's room to provide extra moisture, which helps reduce congestion.
• Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen to lower fever and reduce aches. Both are available in children's formulations.
• Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms, particularly fever. Aspirin may increase risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare disorder that occurs almost exclusively in children under the age of 15 and can cause severe liver and brain damage.
• Over-the-counter cold remedies are fine for children over age 6. But talk with your doctor before giving any child under age 6 an over-the-counter cold medicine.
• In very young children with congestion, use a nasal bulb to gently remove mucus. You may also spray three drops of saline nasal spray into each nostril.

(Dr Amit Varma is Chief Operating Officer and Director Critical Care Medicine at Fortis Hospital in Delhi)