Keep Sick Kids Home: Vital parenting information from Eyewitness News

Every year tens of thousands of people die from influenza. No statistics on children with the virus have been kept until recently. Several years ago, physicians discovered possibly hundreds of kids were dying, and tens of thousands were being hospitalized for the flu every year. It turns out, the children were often the ones spreading the virus to adults. Leading to age recommendations for the vaccinations.

Dr. Joe Matusic
We started recommending the flu vaccine for kids under two a couple years ago. It's under five now. They're about to go to nine. And in a couple of years we think it's going to go to all American's.

To treat the flu, try a heaping a dose of TLC. Then Motrin, Advil, or Ibuprofin for aches and pains. No asprin, and no Pepto Bismol because of the asprin content. Especially when you're little the flu can get you down with the symptoms.

Dr. Joe Matusic
Sudden profound onset of headache, body ache, you're going to be wiped out and run a very high fever; 103, 104, 105.

You'll experience 3 to 5 days of the worst symptoms. Complications like an ear infection could show up around the second day. Or pnemonia between the third and fifth day. That's what the flu is. Don't confuse it with a cold.

Dr. Joe Matusic
It's not 101 with a runny nose and cough. You actually don't have that with the flu at first. After a day or two you might. Influenza affects 10-15% of population every year. So you're gonna get it with in so many years. And if you get it, most likely you'll do fine with it. Especially if you don't have any medical problems.

You're options for the vaccine come in two forms, the normal shot or the nasal version which is approved down to two years of age. But can't be given to kids with asthma.