Children, especially those under five, are more susceptible to influenza A and B due to physical and immune factors, prompting call for increased preventive measures, says the Indonesian Paediatric Society.
Children are more vulnerable to influenza A and B than adults because of a mix of physical and immune-system factors, according to the Indonesian Paediatric Society. Prof Anggraini Alam, a paediatric infectious diseases specialist with the group, said children’s shorter height makes them more likely to inhale the tiny droplets released when adults cough, sneeze or speak. She said the risk is especially pronounced in younger children, whose bodies have had less exposure to viruses and have not yet built up the same level of immune experience as adults.
That concern is most acute in children under five, particularly those under two, and in infants under six months, who make up a large share of the youngest flu patients seen in hospital, according to the society’s briefing. Children in day-care settings with poor ventilation, those with neurological or developmental conditions, and those living in long-term care facilities or crowded housing are also considered more exposed. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says children under five, especially those under two, are at higher risk of serious flu complications, while chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes add further danger.
The flu can hit children hard and fast. Johns Hopkins Medicine says symptoms often include high fever, cough, sore throat, blocked or runny nose, body aches and marked fatigue, and children can become seriously ill enough to need hospital care. The Indonesian society said recovery can take weeks, and children with weakened immune systems may shed the virus for longer than healthy people. A review in the National Center for Biotechnology Information also notes that young children are especially prone to influenza B because their immune systems are still relatively inexperienced.
Health experts say prevention remains the best defence. The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone aged six months and older, including caregivers, to reduce severe illness and hospitalisation. The Indonesian society also advises basic hygiene measures such as regular handwashing, good nutrition, adequate fluids, opening windows for fresh air and avoiding crowded, air-conditioned rooms. Paracetamol may be used to ease symptoms, but antibiotics are not appropriate because influenza is caused by a virus, not bacteria.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
