The influenza virus causes the "flu" and should not be confused with the deadly Haemophlius influenzae type B (HIB) bacterium that causes meningitis in children. Children who have been immunized against the "H. Flu" bacteria or HIB are still susceptible to the influenza virus.

The viruses that cause the flu usually appear in November and last until March. During a typical flu season, between 12 to 50 million people will become infected. It's not always easy to tell when a child has the flu. While many of the symptoms for influenza are similar to those of a simple cold, the flu is much more severe and last longer than a cold. Influenza usually begins with a headache, chills and a cough. These symptoms are followed by general body aches, a high fever, and sometimes vomiting, that may last for three to four days. Cold symptoms-- runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat-- then appear. Recovery ensues in a week. The flu’s most telling characteristic is profound weakness and fatigue- some children feel exhausted and "not themselves" for as long as three to four weeks after a bout with the flu.

Influenza can do more than lay children flat on their backs. The flu can produce serious complications: bacterial pneumonia, middle ear and sinus infections, and Reye’s syndrome, a serious neurological disorder that may cause convulsions and brain damage.

The virus is spread from child to child by sneezing, coughing and touching. Since the virus can last for a short time on toys and other objects, children frequently become infected by touching something contaminated with the virus and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes. When a child with the flu sneezes, they can send germs as far as 20 feet away. Since influenza viruses can remain airborne for up to two hours, they are easily inhaled by another child. That’s why infection spreads quickly through schools and daycare centers.

Children who contract the flu should get plenty of rest, eat well and drink lots of liquids. Children should never be given aspirin because of the possible complication of Reye's syndrome--a serious condition leading to convulsions and brain damage.

The child’s physician should be notified for any prolonged cough, chest or ear pain or shortness of breath. Antibiotics are not effective for an ordinary case of the flu unless there is an accompanying bacterial infection.

Youngsters who are at risk for developing complications from influenza need vaccine protection. These high risk youngsters include:

*Children with chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including asthma.

*Children who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization because of chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes mellitus), renal dysfunction, blood disorders (for example, sickle cell anemia), or immune system disorders.

*Children receiving long-term aspirin therapy for illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis and Kawasaki disease who may be at risk of developing Reye syndrome after influenza.

*Healthy children who may spread the infection to a sibling or an adult family member who is at risk.

In addition, some parents want their otherwise well child vaccinated to reduce their chances of acquiring influenza. Children with the flu are too sick to attend day care or school, and most parents cannot afford to take a week or more off from work to care for their ill youngster.

The vaccine is no guarantee that the immunized child will not get influenza, but it is up to 80% effective. Improved techniques for purifying the vaccine have reduced side effects and the most common reaction is soreness at the injection site. Because the vaccine contains only noninfectious viruses, it cannot cause influenza. Young children who have no previous exposure to the flu sometimes experience a slight fever or muscle pain. Therefore, children receiving the vaccine for the first time are usually given two doses four to six weeks apart to reduce the chances of side effects.