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Understanding the Flu (Influenza)

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory disease that affects between 5% to 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's nothing to worry about.

The flu can cause your child to develop medical problems, including lower respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia, 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.

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

How the Flu is Spread

There are many ways that the flu can spread to your child — and in turn, children can be the main source of flu infection for all age groups, family members, and friends.

Preventing the Flu

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

Importance of Vaccinating Children

Vaccinating your 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.

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.