Influenza B in Babies: Symptoms, Risks & Prevention

Influenza B is a strain of the flu virus which, unlike influenza A, commonly causes infections at any point during the year. Symptoms of an influenza B infection include aches, chills, nausea, sweating (especially at night), vomiting and a fever. People catch the influenza B virus by breathing in small droplets from coughing or sneezing and, in people with healthy immune systems, the virus rarely causes any serious complications.

Risk Populations

• Certain populations, including infants, are at a risk of developing serious complications as a result of an infection with influenza B.

Immune Weakness

• Influenza B infections are especially dangerous in babies because their immune system is still developing and is very weak.

Mild Complications

• Some of the less serious complications from an influenza B infection in a baby are ear and sinus infections.

Serious Complications

• More serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis, which is an infection of the brain.

Contacting a Physician

• Whenever a baby develops symptoms of influenza B, his doctor should be contacted.