Flu and Children with Neurologic Conditions

Children of any age with neurologic conditions are more likely to become very sick if they get the flu. Complications may vary and can include pneumonia and even death.

Neurologic conditions can include:

• Disorders of the brain and spinal cord
• Cerebral palsy
• Epilepsy (seizure disorders)
• Stroke
• Intellectual disability
• Moderate to severe developmental delay
• Muscular dystrophy
• Spinal cord injury

Some children with neurologic conditions may have trouble with muscle function, lung function or difficulty coughing, swallowing, or clearing fluids from their airways. These problems can make flu symptoms worse.

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Vaccination is the Best Protection against Flu

The best way to prevent flu is to get a flu vaccine every year. It is important for children with neurologic conditions to be vaccinated, since they are at a high risk of experiencing complications if they become ill from flu.

Additionally, close contacts of these children, such as parents, siblings, household members, and caregivers, like babysitters, doctors, nurses, and teachers, should also get vaccinated to keep from getting sick or spreading the flu to these vulnerable children or other people at high risk of serious flu complications.

See a full list of people for whom vaccination is especially important.

Talk with your health care provider about getting a flu vaccine for you and your child. Some children will need more than one dose of the flu vaccine to be protected. Your health care provider can determine the number of doses your child needs to be protected against flu.

Children younger than 6 months of age are too young to get a flu vaccine. Learn more about protecting infants against flu.

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Treating the Flu in Children with Neurologic Conditions

Any high risk person should get prompt medical attention if they have flu symptoms. If your child with a neurologic condition develops fever or flu symptoms, call your doctor or take them to the doctor right away. CDC recommends that doctors treat flu illness promptly in high risk people who have underlying medical conditions with antiviral drugs.

Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines that fight against the flu. These medications work best when started as early as possible after getting fever and flu symptoms.

If you child has flu, keep them at home, except for doctor visits, for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicines. You should also make sure your child gets plenty of rest and clear fluids (water, broth, sports drinks, etc.). Your health care provider may also recommend fever-reducing medicines* based on your child’s age.

*Children younger than 4 years of age should not be given over-the-counter medicines without approval from a health care provider. Also aspirin should not be given to any child younger than 18 years old who has the flu.

Learn more about the use of influenza antiviral drugs in children with neurologic conditions and other medicines for children when treating influenza.

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Tips to Stay Healthy

In addition to getting vaccinated yearly, children with neurologic conditions and their families should practice good health habits to help protect themselves and others against the flu.

These may include:

• Distance: You and your child should avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Take action to help control the spread of germs (like flu):
  • Your child should cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze. Then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • If they don't have a tissue, they should cough or sneeze into their upper sleeve or elbow, not their hands.
  • Wash hands often with soap and running water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Help your child with hand washing if needed.
  • Encourage your child to avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Health: Make sure that your child’s chronic health condition is under the best medical control possible.
• Plan: Have a plan for how to take care of your child in case they become sick with the flu.

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