Children’s Flu
Children’s Flu
What you need to know about
Children’s Flu
Can you tell if your child has the flu? Knowing the signs, causes, and therapies will assist you in caring for your child.
It is caused by three types of viruses:
- Type A
- Type B
- Type C
Influenza A and B are the two viruses that produce annual outbreaks. Viruses of this sort are the focus of public health activities. Type C influenza is typically milder, with few or no symptoms.
Because the flu spreads swiftly in confined spaces, schools and nurseries are prime breeding sites for the virus. If your child comes into contact with a sick individual who is coughing or sneezing, they may contract it. They may also come into contact with infected materials such as doorknobs, pens, pencils, or toys before touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.
Because children’s immune systems aren’t as developed as adults, they have a higher risk of contracting the flu virus.
It’s difficult to block the virus from spreading because children are contagious a day before they develop symptoms. They might be contagious for up to five days after being ill. The majority of children recover within a week, although they may continue to feel weak for up to a month.
Symptoms of Growing Pains
Everyone’s growing pains are different. While some children experience severe pain, others do not. Most kids do not deal with discomfort on a regular basis.
Growing pains can occur at any time. Weeks, months, or even years may pass before they stop. In a few years, most children get over their growing aches.
They’re usually worse than a cold for youngsters. Your child may become ill without warning, and despite the fact that the flu is a respiratory illness, they may feel achy all over.
Other signs and symptoms include:
Children’s growing pains may increase their sensitivity to pain, according to studies. Children who are going through growing pains are more likely to have headaches and abdominal pain.
Prevention
The best approach to protect your child from the flu is to have him or her vaccinated every year. The vaccine or nasal spray should be given to healthy children aged 6 months and up, according to the NHS. They should not be given to children who have a weakened immune system or who are allergic to the flu vaccine or any of its components.
Even for youngsters with egg sensitivities, immunisation is deemed safe. If your kid has severe egg allergies (anaphylaxis), make sure the shot is given by someone who can manage a severe allergic reaction, such as at your doctor’s office, a hospital, a clinic, or the local health department. Because many children with egg allergies are in danger of developing complications from the flu, it’s critical that they get vaccinated.
Hand washing thoroughly can also help to reduce the risk of infection.
Complications
Children are more vulnerable to the virus. Children under the age of two are at the greatest risk of developing flu-related complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, and seizures, all of which can result in brain damage. Chronic illnesses, such as asthma or diabetes, increase the risk.
When to call a doctor
If your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms, get immediate medical attention.
- Has blue lips or skin
- Your child is constant vomiting or having stomach pain
- Is having difficulty breathing or is breathing rapidly
- Isn’t drinking enough
- Is easily irritated
- Is drowsy, won’t wake up, or won’t interact with you
- Has symptoms that improve then progressively deteriorate
Treatment
Although there is no cure for the flu, your doctor may prescribe over-the-counter medication to help alleviate symptoms.
Here are some other home remedies that may be beneficial to your child:
- Chills and fever can be relieved by removing layers of clothing as needed
- Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water
- Rest as much as possible
- Relieve pains and reduce temperature, take paracetamol or ibuprofen. Children should never be given aspirin since it can cause Reye’s syndrome.
Antiviral medications may be recommended by your doctor to help your child feel better faster. Children under the age of one are usually prescribed oseltamivir, which comes in liquid and pill forms. They usually provide zanamivir, an inhaler, to children aged 7 and up who don’t have asthma or other chronic diseases. Peramivir is another antiviral that can be given intravenously (IV) to children aged 2 and up. Baloxavir, a newer medicine, can also be administered to children over the age of 12 as a tablet.
Antiviral medications perform best if given to your child within 48 hours after the onset of symptoms.