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Children 0-4 years of age have the second-highest hospitalization rate this season.

Symptoms of influenza infection include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headache, fatigue (tiredness), and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults).

The United States experiences epidemics of seasonal flu each year. This time of year is called "flu season." While influenza activity has declined in recent weeks and the flu season is coming to a close, most of CDC’s influenza surveillance systems still show elevated activity.

There are several factors that make it difficult to determine accurate numbers of deaths caused by flu regardless of reporting.

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Flu viruses are constantly changing and it's not unusual for new seasonal flu viruses to appear each year.

When viruses change in that way, they are said to be “drifted” viruses.

the sheer volume of deaths to be counted; not everyone that dies with an influenza-like illness is tested for influenza; and influenza-associated deaths are often a result of complications secondary to underlying medical problems, and this may be difficult to sort out.

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s very unpredictable and can vary in different parts of the country and from season to season

However, seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and continue to occur as late as May.

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine(http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/index.htm) for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease.

In addition to getting a seasonal flu vaccine if you have not already gotten vaccinated, you can take everyday preventive actions(http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits/index.htm) like staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs. If you are sick with flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading flu to others.

A number of different manufacturers produce trivalent (three component) influenza vaccines for the U.S. market, including intramuscular (IM), intradermal, and nasal spray vaccines.

Multiple studies conducted over different seasons and across vaccine types and influenza virus subtypes have shown that the body’s immunity to influenza viruses (acquired either through natural infection or vaccination) declines over time.

Yes. It’s possible to get sick with the flu even if you have been vaccinated (although you won’t know for sure unless you get a flu test). This is possible for the following reasons:

You may be exposed to a flu virus shortly before getting vaccinated or during the period that it takes the body to gain protection after getting vaccinated. This exposure may result in you becoming ill with flu before the vaccine begins to protect you. (About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection develop in the body.) You may be exposed to a flu virus that is not included in the seasonal flu vaccine. There are many different flu viruses that circulate every year. The flu vaccine is made to protect against the three or four flu viruses that research suggests will be most common. Unfortunately, some people can become infected with a flu virus the flu vaccine is designed to protect against, despite getting vaccinated. Protection provided by flu vaccination can vary widely, based in part on health and age factors of the person getting vaccinated. In general, the flu vaccine works best among healthy younger adults and older children. Some older people and people with certain chronic illnesses may develop less immunity after vaccination. Flu vaccination is not a perfect tool, but it is the best way to protect against flu infection.

flu season runs from October to May

The vaccine prevents against infection from the flu viruses that researchers predict will be most common in the upcoming year

most cases occurring between late December and early March

For a severely ill child or one with other special circumstances, a doctor may prescribe an antiviral medicine that can decrease the duration of illness by 1-2 days and prevent potential complications of the flu

If an antiviral medication is prescribed, be sure to discuss any possible side effects with your doctor.

Given as an injection, the flu shot contains killed flu viruses that will not cause the flu, but will prepare the body to fight off infection from that particular type of live flu virus if someone comes into contact with it.

Symptoms, which usually begin about 2 days after exposure to the virus, can include: fever chills headache muscle aches dizziness loss of appetite tiredness cough sore throat runny nose nausea or vomiting weakness ear pain diarrhe

all kids 6 months through 4 years old anyone 65 years and older all women who are pregnant, are considering pregnancy, have recently given birth, or are breastfeeding during flu season anyone whose immune system is weakened from medications or illnesses (like HIV infection) residents of long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes any adult or child with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma kids or teens who take aspirin regularly and are at risk for developing Reye syndrome if they get the flu all health care personnel caregivers or household contacts of anyone in a high-risk group (like children younger than 5 years old, especially those younger than 6 months, and those with high-risk conditions) Native Americans and Alaskan natives

The nasal mist contains weakened live flu viruses that cannot cause the severe symptoms typically associated with the flu, but can cause some mild symptoms

drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration get plenty of sleep and take it easy take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve fever and aches (do not give aspirin to children or teens as it may cause a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome) wear layers, since the flu often makes them cold one minute and hot the next (wearing layers — like a T-shirt, sweatshirt, and robe — makes it easy to add or subtract clothes as needed)

Kids who are sick should stay home from school and childcare until they are without fever for at least 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.

So to have the best protection against the flu, it's important to get the vaccine every year.

It is given in places like hospitals, clinics, community centers, pharmacies, doctor's offices, and schools

infants under 6 months old anyone who's ever had a severe reaction to a flu vaccination anyone with Guillain-Barré syndrome (a rare condition that affects the immune system and nerves)

After 5 days, fever and other symptoms have usually disappeared, but a cough and weakness may continue

Call the doctor if your child:

has flu symptoms has a high fever, or fever with a rash has trouble breathing or rapid breathing has bluish skin color is not drinking enough fluids seems very sleepy or lethargic seems confused has flu symptoms that get better, but then get worse

All symptoms are usually gone within a week or two

The flu is contagious, spread by virus-infected droplets that are coughed or sneezed into the air

The flu usually occurs in small outbreaks, but epidemics — when the illness spreads rapidly and affects many people in an area at the same time — tend to occur every few years. Epidemics often peak within 2 or 3 weeks after the first cases occur.

Preventing the Flu From Spreading There's no guaranteed way — including being vaccinated — to prevent anyone from getting the flu

Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently with soap, especially after using the bathroom, after coughing or sneezing, and before eating. Never pick up used tissues. Never share cups and eating utensils. Stay home from work or school when you're sick with the flu. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then put it in the trash. If a tissue isn't available, cough or sneeze into your upper arm, not into your hands.