Even though the media has focused on the famous bird flu and the possibility of a pandemic , we can't forget that our usual flu season is approaching. The CDC is still recommending that infants between 6 months and two years be vaccinated. And for older children with respiratory conditions such as asthma or heart disease the recommendation to get the flu shot is the same. But for older kids and even adults who don't get immunized, here's some advice on how to prevent, recognize, and treat influenza.
How can I prevent my child from getting the flu?
Although there is no perfect way to avoid the flu, the CDC recommends the following steps: Avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of the flu. If there is an outbreak in your community, use common sense to decide whether to allow your child to go to unnecessary activities. Schools and daycare centers will often close for a few days if there is an outbreak. Wash your hands and your child's hands with soap and water. Don't let your small child put other children's toys in his or her mouth.
How do you know if my child has the flu?
The symptoms are very specific and include high fever (usually lasting 4 - 6 days), sore aching muscles, generalized weakness, headache, pain behind the eyeballs, a sore throat and hacking cough.
What can I do to make my child feel better?
The uncomplicated flu lasts 7 - 10 days and does not respond to antibiotics. Treatment includes plenty of fluids, bed rest and acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever, headache and body aches. For cough, try a mixture of honey and lemon (if older than 1 year), non-caffeine teas or an over the counter (OTC) cough suppressant containing DM (Dextromethorpan). Remember, to prevent Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal illness, never give aspirin to your child or adolescent with the flu.
What are the complications of the flu?
Although the majority of patients including children will recover fully, some patients will become seriously ill and require hospitalization. More serious complications include pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of brain tissue) and serious secondary infections with bacteria.
When do I need to call the doctor?
If your child is having difficulty breathing or catching his or her breath.
If your child appears disoriented or extremely weak. If the cough is persistent or worsening, or if it is keeping your child from sleeping. If you suspect your infant (under 1 years old) has the flu, especially if he/she has a high fever and cough which persists for more than 3 days. NOTE: Any infant under 2 months with a fever (rectal temperature of 101 or greater) must be seen. If your older child has a high fever for more than 5 days, a worsening cough (with or without chest pain), a headache for more than 5 days or a headache which is getting worse or accompanied by a stiff neck.
COLD OR FLU?
Once the arrival of the flu in a neighborhood makes the headlines, parents begin to worry about every sniffle. So how do you know if your child has a cold or the flu?
The common cold lasts about 9-10 days and is sometimes described as three days coming, three days here and three days going. The first three days your child may have a fever. In infants and toddlers the temperature might reach 103-104, but after giving some acetaminophen or ibuprofen, the temperature will be lower and your baby will seem better. In older children there might be a low-grade fever or none at all. But here comes the runny nose. A cold always causes a runny nose, but the flu usually does not.
During the middle phase of a cold, a child may develop a cough because of the congestion from the nose, however it will not be a deep or hacking cough, and usually there is no chest pain as you will have with the flu. During this time the fever is usually gone, and your child might be back to their activities, despite the runny nose and mild cough.
The final three days is when the mucous starts to thicken and become crusty. At this point it's just wiping the nose and using humidifiers to help your child breathe easier at night.
The symptoms of flu are very specific and include high fever (usually lasting 4 - 6 days), sore aching muscles, generalized weakness, headache, pain behind the eyeballs, a sore throat and hacking cough.
The uncomplicated flu lasts 7 - 10 days and does not respond to antibiotics. Treatment includes plenty of fluids, bed rest and acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever, headache and body aches. For cough, try a mixture of honey and lemon (if older than 1 year), non-caffeine teas or an over the counter (OTC) cough suppressant containing DM (Dextromethorpan). Remember, to prevent Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal illness, never give aspirin to your child or adolescent with the flu.
About the Author
Dr. Mary Ann LoFrumento, MD, F.A.A.P., pediatrician, mother and author, has more than 20 years experience answering parents' questions about how to raise their children. She recently launched
Simply Parenting, a book and DVD series designed to end parents' anxiety and insecurity and bring parenting back to basics.
