Researchers Find Kids Often Spread Flu To Others Of Same Sex
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Researchers looked at a Pennsylvania school to observe how the H1N1 virus was spread, and what they found is that boys have a tendency to spread the virus to other boys, as opposed to girls.
St. Christopher's Hospital for Children's Dr. Bryon Lauer is not surprised by the findings.
"Because especially grade school children, boys, tend to play with boys and just how flu is spread through saliva and snot and secretions it wouldn't surprise me that the people you spend more time with, it would spread more easily to them."
Lauer says this is why a flu vaccine and frequent hand washing is so important. He reminds parents the symptoms to watch out for.
"The biggest things are fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches chills. fatigue, and generalized not feeling so good."
And Lauer says your child can still get the flu after getting the vaccine because not every strain of flu is included in the shot.
Reported by Michelle Durham, KYW Newsradio
