Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Using Bioluminescent Imaging to Investigate Synergism Between Streptococcus pneumoniae and Influenza A Virus in Infant Mice
10:47

Using Bioluminescent Imaging to Investigate Synergism Between Streptococcus pneumoniae and Influenza A Virus in Infant Mice

Published on: April 14, 2011

Influenza virus infection in infancy and early childhood

Flor M Munoz1

  • 1Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Rm 221-D, BCM-280, Houston, TX 77030, USA. florm@bcm.tmc.edu

Paediatric Respiratory Reviews
|May 22, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Influenza infection poses the highest risk for infants and young children. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for children 6 months and older, and pregnant women, to protect vulnerable populations.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Infants and young children exhibit the highest rates of influenza infection and hospitalization.
  • Immune system immaturity and lack of prior exposure contribute to susceptibility in infants.
  • Underlying chronic medical conditions elevate the risk of severe influenza complications in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the epidemiology of influenza in pediatric populations.
  • To highlight the importance of influenza vaccination for children and at-risk groups.
  • To emphasize strategies for preventing influenza transmission to young infants.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epidemiological data on pediatric influenza.
  • Analysis of current influenza vaccination recommendations.
  • Discussion of indirect protection strategies through vaccination of close contacts.

Main Results:

  • Influenza disproportionately affects infants and young children, leading to high hospitalization rates.
  • Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for children aged 6 months and older.
  • Vaccinating pregnant women and close contacts offers protection to infants under 6 months.

Conclusions:

  • Influenza vaccination is crucial for preventing severe disease and complications in children.
  • A multi-pronged vaccination approach, including pregnant women and family members, is essential for protecting infants.
  • Public health strategies should prioritize widespread influenza immunization in pediatric populations and their contacts.

More Related Videos

Influenza Virus Propagation in Embryonated Chicken Eggs06:56

Influenza Virus Propagation in Embryonated Chicken Eggs

Published on: March 19, 2015

Modeling Dysplastic and Functional Lung Alveolar Repair after Influenza Infection07:45

Modeling Dysplastic and Functional Lung Alveolar Repair after Influenza Infection

Published on: September 19, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Vaccinations01:51

Vaccinations

Overview
Development of Immunocompetence01:22

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
Poliomyelitis01:17

Poliomyelitis

Poliomyelitis is caused by poliovirus, a small, non-enveloped, positive-sense RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family and Enterovirus genus. Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, often through ingestion of contaminated water or food. The virus initially replicates in the oropharynx and intestinal mucosa, particularly in lymphoid tissues such as the tonsils, Peyer’s patches, and regional lymph nodes. Primary viremia follows, allowing dissemination throughout the body.In most...
Influenza01:27

Influenza

Influenza is an acute, highly communicable viral disease that affects the respiratory tract and is responsible for seasonal epidemics worldwide. Influenza A is the most prevalent type associated with widespread outbreaks and is subtyped based on two surface glycoproteins: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N), as in H1N1. These glycoproteins are essential for viral infectivity, transmission, and immune recognition. Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets and contaminated...
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease01:29

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
Inhibitors Of Virion Release01:25

Inhibitors Of Virion Release

Viral replication and dissemination rely on efficient mechanisms for host cell entry, genome replication, assembly, and release. Influenza viruses, such as types A and B, are negative-sense single-stranded RNA viruses with a segmented genome, that depend on two critical surface glycoproteins to carry out these processes: hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). HA initiates infection by binding to sialic acid residues on the surface of host epithelial cells, facilitating receptor-mediated...