Some children are at higher risk of having complications from the flu. These include children with asthma, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, neuro-developmental conditions and other serious medical conditions. All children younger than 5 years old are also at higher risk.

If your child falls into these categories, work with his or her healthcare provider to set up an action plan before each flu season begins. Make a plan every flu season. Share the plan with your child’s teacher and any others who take care of your child. The plan should include:

• Any changes or adjustments to existing care plans.
• Getting your child vaccinated for seasonal flu.
• Using antiviral medications, if prescribed by your child’s healthcare provider.
• When and where to go if your child gets sick.
• A list of all medications your child is taking and the times of day they are taken.
• A list of necessary supplies or equipment, such as syringes, strips, etc.
• Phone numbers for your child’s healthcare provider, including after-hours numbers.

In addition to having an action plan, there are other steps you can take to help protect your high-risk child. Consider staying away from public gatherings when there are a lot of people in your community with the flu. Make sure everyone in the household practices good hygiene: washing hands often, especially after coughing or sneezing; coughing or sneezing into an elbow or a tissue; keeping your hands away from your nose, eyes and mouth. You should also frequently clean and disinfect surfaces and objects (such as toys) that your child touches.

If your child has trouble breathing, appears limp or lifeless or is getting worse quickly, call 911.

Other warning signs that your child needs urgent medical attention:

• fast breathing
• bluish or gray skin color
• not drinking enough fluids
• not urinating or no tears when crying
• severe or persistent vomiting
• not waking up or not interacting
• being so irritable that he or she does not want to be held
• pain or pressure in the abdomen or chest
• sudden dizziness
• confusion
• flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and a worse cough