What new parents need to know about flu season

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- It’s that time of year again: flu season is upon us.

There have been 82 hospitalizations in Colorado since September, and doctors say the people most at risk are infants and small children.

Infants are one of the age groups most likely to have severe, and sometimes even deadly, flu symptoms. Being a new parent is scary, and having a baby during flu season can be even more frightening.

According to the CDC, there were 3,832 reported hospitalizations from the flu last year. The people affected most were over 65 years old, or under 6 months.

Everyone over 6 months old can get a flu shot -- its strength, depending on your age.

But what should parents do to keep their newborns safe?

KRDO crews talked to doctors at Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs to find out what parents can do to prevent their babies from getting the flu.

Dr. David Listman says some of the tips we've heard for years need to be taken more seriously.

“Try to limit how many sick people they’re around. And, good soap and water hand washing can still not be overestimated in how important that is," said Dr. Listman.

For everyone else, doctors say you should get your flu shot early because it can take up to 2 weeks for it to start working.