The flu is a viral infection that affects the respiratory tract.
What causes the flu?
The flu is caused by the influenza virus.
Who can get the flu?
The flu is most common in the winter and early spring.
Flu most commonly affects children.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
The first symptoms to show up may include the chills, a fever, headache,
aches and pains, and feeling tired or weak.
Other symptoms could include signs of an upper respiratory infection: sore
throat, runny nose, congestion, cough, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Flu could cause a loss of appetite.
Is the flu contagious?
Yes. The flu is very contagious.
Sneezing or coughing can spread the flu.
Your child should be kept home from school or daycare while she has symptoms.
She can return when symptoms are gone, her fever has been gone for 24 hours,
and if she feels well.
How is the flu treated? The flu cannot be cured with antibiotics. Treatment is aimed at easing symptoms.
There are new medications that may help with the symptoms. The medications are
changing rapidly. They are effective in some cases but not others. You may want
to talk to your doctor to see if your child can take one of these medications.
Rest will help the body fight infection and ease symptoms.
Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol, Temporal
Panadol, or Liquiprin) can be used to treat fever, headache, aches and
pains, and sore throat. Use the right amount of medication based on weight,
not age. (link to table here?)
Do not give children aspirin or medicine with aspirin in it. It could
cause brain or liver damage. Talk to your doctor first.
Your child should drink plenty of fluids, even more if she has a fever.
Children may enjoy Popsicles, Jell-O, ice cream, or applesauce.
Your child will probably feel tired. If not, it's okay if she plays
at home.
If your child vomits, stop all food intake. Give her clear liquids slowly,
in many small sips. Do not give her plain water or milk at first. Increase
fluid, food, and milk products slowly as she is able to keep them down.
Vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration (not enough fluids in the
body). If your child is dehydrated, she may need an oral rehydration solution,
or ORS (such as Pedialyte). Talk to your doctor.
Stuffy Nose
If your infant has a stuffy nose, saline (salt-water) nose drops might
help. Drops can be found at the store. Ask the pharmacist for help.
Use a bulb suction to clear the nose.
Put 1-2 drops of saline in each nostril.
Press one nostril closed with your finger. Gently put the compressed
(pushed in) bulb into the open nostril.
Release pressure (let the air back in) on the bulb until the nose is
clear.
Do the other side.
Cough and Congestion
Put a cool mist vaporizer or humidifier in your child's room. The vaporizer
should be cleaned daily with 1 part bleach to 10 parts water.
Over-the-counter cold medicine might help cough and congestion. It may
help your child sleep, too. Ask your doctor first. Treatment could make
the cough last longer.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for help in choosing a brand. Use a medicine
made for children.
Call your doctor before giving an infant any medication.
How long does the flu last?
The flu usually lasts 3-4 days.
The cough and weakness could last 1-2 weeks. Children do not need to be
kept home from school or daycare because of the cough.
How can the flu be prevented?
Wash hands often.
Do not share drinking glasses or eating utensils.
Getting a flu shot may help fight infection.
What should I know about the flu shot?
Getting a vaccine, or the "flu shot," can help the body fight some, but
not all, flu infections.
Getting the flu shot is most important for people who are "high risk" and
for people living with that person.
If a person has cancer, asthma, diabetes, anemia, or a chronic disease of
the heart, lungs, kidneys, or nervous system, she is at "high risk." Getting
a flu infection could be especially harmful to her health.
In almost all cases, a high-risk person should get the flu shot.
Call your doctor if any person living in your house is "high risk." Every
person in your house should get the flu shot to protect the high-risk person
from infection.
Flu shots are usually given in the late fall.
When should I call the doctor? Call the doctor if
you or a person living in your house is at "high risk" for infection.
your child shows symptoms of the flu.
your child has a bad headache, neck pain, back pain, or a stiff neck.
you cannot calm your child (unusual crying, overly fussy, other strange
changes in behavior).
your child is sleeping more than usual, especially if she is sleeping through
feedings.
your child has a rash.
your child vomits blood or bile (yellow-green fluid) or continues vomiting
even after treatment. (See "Vomiting and Diarrhea" above.)
your child has a hard time breathing, swallowing, or taking in fluids.
your child shows sign of dehydration, such as: dry lips, a dry mouth, not
urinating in over 8 hours, or small amounts of dark urine.
your child pulls on her ears or says that her ears hurt.
your child has a fever that lasts more than 3-4 days.
your child has a deep cough with lots of mucus.
your child's symptoms have not gotten better with treatment or she has new
symptoms.
Quick Answers
The flu is a viral infection that affects the respiratory tract.
The flu is most common in the winter and early spring and in children.
Symptoms may include chills, fever, headache, weakness, sore throat, runny
nose, congestion, cough, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Sneezing or coughing can spread the flu.
Treatment aims to ease the symptoms of the infection.
The flu usually lasts 3-4 days.
Getting the flu shot can help the body fight some, but not all, flu infections.
Call the doctor if your child shows symptoms of the flu.
References
Children's Hospital, Boston. Influenza (flu). Pediatrics.
1992 November (cited 2001 September 27). Available from: URL: http://www.vh.org/Patients/IHB/Peds/infectious/PedsInfluenza.html
Dowshen, S M.D. Influenza (Flu). KidsHealth. 2001 May (cited 2001 September
28). Available from: URL: http://www.kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=KidsHealth&lic=1&ps=107&cat_id+&article_set=22952
Glezen PW M.D. Influenza: Information for Parents and Patients. Pediatric
Infectious Diseases Journal. (cited 2001 September 27). Available from: URL:
http://www.vh.org/Patients/IHB/Peds/Infectious/PedsInfluenza2.html
"Virtual Pediatric Hospital", the Virtual Pediatric Hospital logo, and "A digital library of pediatric information" are all Trademarks of Donna M. D'Alessandro, M.D. and Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D.
Virtual Pediatric Hospital is funded in whole by Donna M. D'Alessandro, M.D. and Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D. Advertising is not accepted.
Your personal information remains confidential and is not sold, leased, or given to any third party be they reliable or not.
The information contained in Virtual Pediatric Hospital is not a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician. There may be variations in treatment that your physician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.