What are the symptoms of flu in children? How should children with flu be cared for, and how effective is the flu vaccine?

In Hong Kong, influenza peak seasons generally fall between January and March, and between July and August each year. Influenza is a highly contagious disease that can affect people of any age. However, children have weaker immunity than adults, making them more susceptible to infection. Children also tend to experience more severe flu symptoms and take longer to recover. Therefore, during the annual flu peak season, parents must be vigilant about potentially fatal influenza in children. Below, 10Life will introduce the symptoms of influenza in children, key points for caring for children with influenza, and important information about receiving the flu jab for children.

Influenza and the common cold have similar symptoms. Therefore, when a patient shows cold-like symptoms but also has a fever, vomiting or diarrhoea, or severe fatigue, there is a high chance that it is influenza. They should seek medical attention at a clinic immediately so that appropriate treatment can be provided.

Influenza and the common cold share some similar symptoms, which can easily lead people to underestimate the condition. Table 1 lists some of the symptoms of influenza and the common cold: 

When a child catches influenza, what should you pay attention to when caring for them? Although influenza can easily lead to complications, with prompt and appropriate treatment, and by taking medication as prescribed by the doctor, the condition can usually be brought under control quickly. In addition, parents can also pay attention to a few points in daily life to help their child recover more quickly:

• Remind your child to drink plenty of water 
  Fever causes the body to lose a large amount of fluid, so your child needs to take in enough water to avoid dehydration
   
• Make sure your child gets enough rest 
  People with influenza often feel very tired, so parents should ensure their child gets sufficient sleep, which helps speed up recovery
   
• Keep the air circulating 
  Parents should keep indoor air well ventilated to reduce the chance of infecting family members. They should also reduce outings to avoid exposure to more germs
   
• Keep the diet light 
  Maintain a balanced diet and try to take in vitamin C, which can help strengthen immunity

Every flu season, Hong Kong records a considerable number of severe influenza cases among children. Some cases develop serious complications such as severe pneumonia, shock or encephalitis, and there are also cases of child deaths caused by influenza. As a result, some parents consider taking their children for influenza vaccination.

The Centre for Health Protection launches an influenza prevention programme every year to subsidise flu vaccinations for people at high risk. The 2023/24 Government Vaccination Programme was launched on 28 September 2023, with a subsidy of $260 per dose. As fees vary across clinics and hospitals, vaccinated individuals may still need to pay out of pocket after the subsidy is deducted. The exact amount depends on the clinic’s charges; based on information collected online, the price of flu vaccines generally ranges from HK$200 to HK$500.

Generally speaking, it takes two weeks for a vaccine to take full effect. Therefore, parents who wish to have their children vaccinated against influenza should arrange for their children to receive the paediatric flu jab two weeks before the flu season begins. Parents caring for children are often concerned about whether the vaccine has any side effects, such as fever or mild flu-like symptoms. It is advisable to consult a doctor first.

If there is any doubt about a child’s symptoms, medical attention should be sought immediately. In addition, parents may consider taking precautions and arranging medical insurance for their children early to ensure comprehensive protection. For details, please refer to 10Life’s Children's Insurance Comparison to find suitable insurance products for your child. 

Source: Department of Health, Centre for Health Protection
Last updated: 18 October 2023

This English version of this article has been generated by machine translation powered by AI. It is provided solely for reference purposes. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this translation and the original Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail.