Effects of Flu on Children

Oct. 25, 2002 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- School-aged children are prone to get the flu, but how does this affect their quality of life? A new study pinpoints the effects of the influenza virus on children and their families.

Influenza causes respiratory problems and affects all age groups and segments of the population. While serious complications can occur in the very young and old, the effects on school-aged children has not been studied. It's estimated that each year up to 70 percent of school-aged children get the flu.

Researchers from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle conducted a study to compare the effects of the flu season on the quality of life for kids. More than 300 children in kindergarten through eighth grade took part in the study. The students and parents filled out surveys throughout the winter months about school days missed, illness episodes, medication usage, physician visits, parental workdays missed, and illnesses among other family members. Researchers compared the answers on the surveys from during flu season to when flu season was over during the winter months.

The study showed flu season has a significant impact on the children and their families compared to when it was not the flu season. Researchers report for every 100 children followed during the flu season, there were an extra 28 illness episodes and 63 missed school days. Furthermore, for every 100 children studied, parents missed 20 days of work.

Researchers conclude during the flu season, there is an increase of reported illnesses, school days missed, workdays missed by parents, and subsequent illnesses among household members. Researchers say this study reinforces the recommendations to vaccinate children if they live with people at risk for complications of the flu virus.

 SOURCE: Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, 2002;156:986-991

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