Influenza in children in particular needs to be differentiated from the common cold. Antiviral medication should be started as early as possible within 48 hours of onset of illness, and symptomatic medications should be used appropriately to avoid blind or inappropriate use of antibiotics. Neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir, zanamivir, panamivir) and M2 ion channel blockers (amantadine, amantadine) can be used in the treatment of influenza in children. Influenza vaccination for children over 6 months of age can produce protection against influenza virus infection when administered according to recommended immunization procedures. When children under 8 years of age are vaccinated for the first time, two doses of the vaccine provide better protection than one dose. Influenza vaccine may protect older children better than younger children.