Flu Resources

Protect Your Family by Getting the Flu Shot

While it has always been important for everyone ages 6 months and up to get the flu shot, with the prevalence of other illnesses, flu shots are more important than ever.

Learn about flu shots

Visitor Guidelines at Children's National Hospital

We recently updated our visitor guidelines to protect families and staff. It is preferred that up to two people accompany each child to an outpatient appointment or Emergency Department visit. For inpatient stays, four people can be identified to visit a patient admitted to the PICU and NICU, while visitors do not need to be designated for other care locations. Up to four people can be at the bedside at a time, with some exceptions in certain units.

Flu Basics: Screening, Protecting, Vaccinating

Visitor screening at Children's National Hospital

Severe influenza complications are most common in children younger than 2 years old, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each year, about 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized because of flu-related complications.

During flu season, to protect our patients, we ask all visitors to inpatient areas if they have been sick with any of the following symptoms:

Fever, chills, body aches and/or fatigue (very tired)
Cough, stuffy/runny nose or sore throat
Rash or other skin infections
Vomiting or diarrhea

During flu season, If you or anyone in your group has been sick with any of the above symptoms in the last five days, we ask that you do not visit the patient.

Protecting your family from the flu

The flu vaccine is an effective way to prevent or reduce the severity of flu symptoms. Learn more about the flu and the flu vaccine from our experts:

If you still have questions about the flu or flu vaccine after reading our additional resources below, consult with your child's doctor. You can also submit questions to Rise and Shine, our parenting advice site, and look for an answer from one of our experts in the coming weeks.

Who should get vaccinated?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends certain individuals get a yearly influenza vaccine. This provides the best protection throughout the flu season, which typically ends in early spring.

While children younger than 6 months old are too young to get the influenza vaccine, the best way to protect them is to make sure other people in their families get their flu shots. Plan to get your flu vaccines early, especially if you or your children are part of one of the following groups:

Pregnant women
Children 6 months and older; consult a pediatrician to determine if your child requires two doses of influenza vaccine given at least 28 days apart
Anyone 6 months or older with a chronic health problem such as asthma, kidney disorders, heart disease, cancer or an impaired immune system
Adults 50 or older who may be at a higher risk of getting flu complications

If you have questions, contact your child's primary care physician. For more information, visit the CDC website.

Flu Prevention Tips

Get vaccinated

Avoid close contact and crowded areas

Cover your cough or sneeze

Wash your hands

Limit the spread of germs

Disinfect your home

When Your Child is Hospitalized for the Flu

Maintain your own good health

Don't be alarmed by staff wearing masks

Other things to consider

To protect our patients and staff, we ask you to:

When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth with a tissue and throw it in the trash after use. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow, not your hand.
Wash or sanitize your hands when entering and leaving your child's room.
Remember that it is OK to remind your child's caregivers to wash their hands before examining your child.
Notify your child's caregiver immediately if you develop the following symptoms: fever, headache, chills and/or fatigue. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea.