Flu in children is one of the conditions that keep parents sleepless for nights as they seek to combat their troublesome symptoms. Basically flu is caused by one of the 3 types of influenza viruses; these include type A and B which causes annual flu epidemics while the type C virus is the bug responsible for sporadic mild illness.
Type A is normally broken down into several subtypes based on the chemical structure of the virus.
Influenza is a highly contagious condition especially when people are in close contact. This is the reason why children especially in school contract this condition easily.
Flu is spread among children when a toddler comes into contact with the secretions of an infected person or inhales droplets in the air sneezed by an infected person.
It is therefore important that parents should take proper action for improving and enhancing the quality of air in the room. Here you can find some excellent expecting parents tips that can help you out.
A child can be contagious one day before the onset of symptoms and one week after feeling sick. This can happen when a child shares items such as toys or utensils including forks and spoons.
Hand to hand contact is also an important factor when considering how the flu virus is spread. Flu symptoms include:
- General malaise
- Hacking cough that is usually dry
- Sore throat
- Belly pain
- Vomiting
- Chills
- Fever that goes up to 104 F
- Body /headaches
The best way to guard against flu in children is to ensure they get a yearly vaccination. The Center for Disease Control recommends that every child aged 6 months and above get vaccinated against flu each year as this is the only way to help protect against this condition. If left untreated flu can result in complications such as ear infection, sinus infection, and pneumonia.
As such there is no treatment for flu; however over-the-counter drugs along with regular usage of face mask can help in easing some of the discomfort linked with this condition. Keep in mind that antibiotics are not effective against flu as they are only good at treating bacterial infections.
Anti-viral medicines are sometimes used to treat high-risk children if they are administered in the first two days of getting sick. These usually shorten the life of the flu by about two days. Currently, the only way you can help your child to beat the flu virus is to get vaccinated. Symptoms such as headache, sore throat, and muscle pain can be effectively treated with acetaminophen.
While decongestants and cough suppressants are used to manage flu symptoms, these should be used with caution as they can result in death if not used properly. Other side effects that result from flu medication are loss of consciousness, convulsions, and rapid heart rates.
