Children's Health Children's Health Basics

When kids get the flu they are contagious longer than adults


Research shows 20 to 40 percent of schoolchildren get the flu each year. By comparison, only 10 percent of the general population gets the flu annually. Doctors also say children can harbor the flu virus longer than adults. Adults may be contagious from one day prior to becoming sick and for three to seven days after they first develop symptoms. Some children may be contagious for longer than a week after developing symptoms. Symptoms tend to also be worse in infants and young children.