skip to main content
Add This
Close
Click and Share
facebook vicks_IMG facebook facebook vicks_IMG.
twitter vicks_IMG twitter twitter vicks_IMG.
delicious vicks_IMG delicious delicious vicks_IMG.
digg vicks_IMG digg digg vicks_IMG.
live vicks_IMG live live vicks_IMG.
stumble vicks_IMG stumble stumble vicks_IMG.
blogger vicks_IMG blogger blogger vicks_IMG.
bebo vicks_IMG bebo bebo vicks_IMG.
reddit vicks_IMG reddit reddit vicks_IMG.
MySpace vicks_IMG MySpace MySpace vicks_IMG.
send this page to a friend
Close
protect-maintain

TRUTH OR MYTH?

AFTER YOUR CHILDREN GET THE FLU, THEY'RE CLEAR FOR THE YEAR

Myth—getting the flu once won’t prevent your children from getting it again.

 

The good news is that, typically, when a virus causes sickness, the body builds up defenses, or germ-fighting antibodies, against it. So, your child is less likely to become infected with the same strain of flu virus more than once.1

The bad news is that there are three types of the flu virus: A, B, and C, and these are further identified by subtypes based on their structure—so there are numerous strains of flu viruses.2 Even if your child develops immunity to one strain of the flu, he or she could be exposed to a different flu virus next flu season. There are also many other viruses that cause the common cold, which has symptoms similar to the flu.

Whether your little ones are healthy or sick, remind them that it’s important to follow proper good-hygiene habits all of the time to help keep themselves and others well. Here are three key habits recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help stop flu germs:3,4

  1. 1. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds.
  2. 2. Cough into the inside of your elbow instead of into your hands.
  3. 3. Avoid touching your face—especially your eyes, mouth, and nose—as much as you can.


1
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. NIAID Science Education. Understanding the Immune System: How It Works. NIH Publication No. 07-5423. September 2007:1, 25. Available at: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/immuneSystem/Documents/theimmunesystem.pdf. Accessed 11 Nov 2011.
2
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seasonal Influenza (Flu)—Types of Influenza Viruses. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/viruses/types.htm. Accessed 11 January 2012.
3
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seasonal Influenza (Flu)—Cover Your Cough. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/covercough.htm. Accessed 29 March 2011.
4
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seasonal Influenza (Flu)—Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm. Accessed 29 March 2011.