Flu: When It’s More Than Just a Cold
The flu, also known as influenza, is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract (nose, throat, and lungs). The virus spreads easily in settings where many people are contained in close quarters, such as schools and childcare, making children especially susceptible to the flu.
Often confused with the common cold, influenza symptoms are typically more severe. The following symptoms are good indicators that your child may have the flu:
- Rapid onset of fever
- Excessive tiredness, lack of energy, and general weakness
- Muscle aches and chills
- Dry (hacking) cough
- Stuffy, runny nose
- Other symptoms include sore throat, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Remember, if your child comes down with the flu, keep them home from school or childcare for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone. The flu is highly contagious and can infect other children and caregivers. It can spread through direct contact, such as drinking from the same cup, or indirect contact, such as when a classmate sneezes on their hand and then touches the door handle.
Prevention Tips
Annual outbreaks of seasonal flu typically occur during the fall through the spring. Knowing how to identify flu symptoms and prevent the virus will help you protect your family from getting the flu. Here are just a few tips:
- Teach your children proper and consistent hand washing
- Avoid sharing cups, bottles, and other utensils.
- Please encourage your children to keep their hands away from their eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent germs from spreading.
- Practice the importance of coughing or sneezing into your arm or a tissue
Management Tips
When your child is experiencing the flu, extra rest and drinking plenty of fluids can help relieve symptoms.
- The typical recovery time for the flu is one to two weeks, but maybe even longer.
- Contact your pediatrician if your child’s fever persists, they develop a cough, or they complain of ear pain.
- Flu is a serious illness that should be monitored closely.
Vaccination
To prevent seasonal influenza, “The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that an influenza vaccine be given annually to all children starting at six months. Children 6 months through 8 years old may need two doses of the vaccine given at least four weeks apart. Children 9 years of age and older only need one dose.”1
Additional Notes:
— Children with chronic health conditions have a greater risk of complications from the flu. Thus keen attention and precaution must be taken to avoid other children with flu-like symptoms.
— If your child has flu-like symptoms and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention immediately. There can be severe complications, even death, from influenza.
— HealthyChildren.org provides several resources on the flu in both English and Spanish:
- Preventing the Flu: Resources for Parents & Child Care Providers
- Which Flu Vaccine Should My Children Get This Year?
Source HealthyChildren.org (© Copyright 2022 American Academy of Pediatrics)
The information on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for your pediatrician’s medical care and advice. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.