The flu is a virus that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. It is spread when a person who has the flu coughs, sneezes, or speaks and other people breathe in the virus. It is also spread when a person touches something, such as a used tissue, that has flu virus on it and then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth.

If you have a new born baby, beware of this serious problem. Newborn babies are at high risk for developing very serious problems from the flu. Lung infections such as pneumonia can be severe for newborn babies.

The symptoms of the flu are very similar to many other illnesses common in the wintertime. It is very hard to know if your baby has the flu, the common cold, or another respiratory illness. As a parent, you should know the symptoms of the Flu, which is high fever of 101°F (38°C), headache, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, sore muscles, your baby is extremely sleepy or is not interested in feeding.

Below are some tips to prevent your baby from getting the flu :

• Get yourself vaccinated
• Get your child vaccinated. Children can be vaccinated once they are over the age of 6 months.
• Keep anyone who has the flu or has symptoms of the flu at least three feet away from your baby.
• Practicing good hand washing
• Covering your mouth and nose while sneezing
• Throwing away tissues in a trash to prevent the spread of illness to your baby.
• If you have the flu, keep hands away from your face
• Allow someone who does not have the flu to care for your baby If you have the flu or have symptoms of the flu
• Wear a mask and wash you hands before and after holding the baby if no one is available to help you
• Changing the baby’s diaper and bathing the baby.
• If your baby present the flu symptom, try not to take your baby out in public at all