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Who NOSE the nasal way to help prevent the flu?

How the Flu Is Spread

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory disease that affects between 5% and 20% of the U.S. population each year, leading to over 200,000 hospitalizations and an average of 36,000 deaths (mostly in the elderly).

Most of the time when your child is sick with typical cold symptoms, it does not turn into something more serious.

The flu can cause your child to develop medical problems, including lower respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia and bronchitis, and ear infections. Some of these problems can make your child sick enough to need medical attention at a doctor’s office or hospital.

Flu viruses can spread to your child through coughing, sneezing, or contact with someone who has the flu. Children can also become infected by touching something with the flu virus on it, and then touching their mouth or nose.

Because children spend a large part of their day in close contact with other children in school or daycare, they are more likely to get the flu than other age groups. In fact, children aged 5-17 are nearly 2 times more likely to get the flu than adults.

Children are also a main source of flu infection for everyone else. School-aged children can spread flu to classmates, family members, the elderly, and other people at high risk of flu complications.

Just as children can easily catch the flu in school environments, adults run a risk of contracting the flu in the workplace. According to a survey by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, 58% of respondents know of a co-worker that has come to work sick or with the flu.

This section of FluMist.com will help give you a better understanding of the flu, and the importance of vaccinating eligible children for flu season.

Differences Between Cold and Flu

When your child gets the flu, you may say to yourself, "What's the big deal? It's just a bad cold." But it's not — it can be much worse. Make sure you know the differences between cold and flu symptoms.

Preventing the Flu

In addition to a flu vaccine, there are other important ways to help prevent the flu. Check out these flu prevention tips.

Vaccinating your eligible children will not only help keep them from getting the flu, it may help you avoid missing time from work or other obligations to care for your sick children.

Next: Preventing the Flu

Important Safety and Eligibility Information

Who may be eligible for FluMist®?

FluMist® is a vaccine approved for the prevention of certain types of influenza disease in children, adolescents, and adults 2-49 years of age. FluMist may not protect everyone who gets it. FluMist is for intranasal administration only.

Who may not be able to get FluMist?

FluMist is not right for everyone. FluMist must not be given to: people with history of hypersensitivity to eggs, egg proteins, gentamicin, gelatin, or arginine; people with life-threatening reactions to previous influenza vaccinations; and children and adolescents receiving aspirin or aspirin-containing therapy.

Children less than 24 months of age are not eligible for FluMist.

The following people may not be able to get FluMist or may be able to get it only in certain situations: people with asthma or active wheezing, or children less than 5 years of age with recurrent wheezing; people with a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome; people with a weakened immune system; people with long-term medical conditions including heart disease, kidney disease, and metabolic diseases, such as diabetes; and pregnant women.

If your child falls into one of these groups, be sure to tell your healthcare provider. They will decide if FluMist is right for your child.

What are the most common side effects of FluMist?

Most common side effects included runny nose or nasal congestion, sore throat, and fever. For a full list of side effects, please see section 6.1 in the accompanying Product Information.