For many reasons, children are the most susceptible to the flu and the most likely to spread it. Children under 18 are more than twice as likely to develop symptomatic flu as adults over 65. One reason for this is that children have a longer period of viral shedding before symptoms begin. Children under five also have a longer period of viral shedding after symptoms end. As long as viral shedding continues, a person is contagious.

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