It’s that point of 12 months – flu season. We’re seeing many instances of Influenza at St. Louis Kids’s Hospital. However hopefully, your youngster won’t be certainly one of them. Right here is a few details about influenza that can assist you hold your youngster wholesome this flu season.
What’s Influenza?
Influenza is a contagious respiratory sickness attributable to influenza viruses, which trigger delicate to extreme signs and in some instances, result in hospitalization and even loss of life. There are two forms of influenza viruses, A and B. Each trigger seasonal outbreaks every year, often called the influenza or flu season. The flu season often begins within the fall and may final till the top of spring. When there may be an outbreak or epidemic within the winter months, the sickness tends to be extra frequent in preschool and school-aged kids; nonetheless, it may unfold rapidly amongst teenagers and faculty college students, too.
Who’s Most at Danger from the Flu?
Kids youthful than 5 years outdated, particularly these youthful than two years outdated, and kids and adolescents with sure underlying situations (equivalent to power respiratory situations) are at highest danger of creating issues from the flu. That’s the reason it’s extremely really helpful that these kids get an influenza vaccine. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that every one kids get a flu vaccine yearly beginning at six months of age.
What are the Signs of the Flu?
Signs of the flu embrace:
- Sudden fever (often above 100.4 Fahrenheit)
- Chills
- Headache
- Physique aches
- Being extra drained than common
- Sore throat
- Congestion/stuffy nostril
- Dry, hacking cough
- Some kids could have vomiting or diarrhea
After the primary few days of signs, the sore throat, stuffy nostril, and dry cough usually turn into extra distinguished.
How Lengthy Does the Flu Final?
The flu can often final per week and even longer. You possibly can distinguish the flu from the widespread chilly as a result of sometimes, kids with the widespread chilly have solely a low-grade fever, runny nostril, and small quantity of coughing, and signs solely final just a few days. Kids with influenza are a lot sicker, achier, and extra depressing.
Is there Remedy for the Flu?
Some issues can enhance your youngster’s signs. Kids will profit from additional relaxation and consuming extra fluids. In case your youngster is uncomfortable as a result of fever, acetaminophen or ibuprofen (for kids six months or older) could assist. Make certain to test that you’re utilizing the right dosages of each. Do NOT give aspirin as a result of kids with influenza can develop a situation referred to as Reye syndrome, which could be very severe.
As a result of the flu is a virus, antibiotics aren’t efficient in remedy. Nevertheless, there’s a prescription antiviral medicine for influenza, and it may be useful if taken throughout the first 1-2 days of signs. In case you really feel your youngster’s signs simply began, speak to your pediatrician about getting your youngster examined for influenza and doubtlessly beginning the medicine. The medicine is very really helpful in kids at most danger for extreme sickness from the flu (kids below 5 years outdated, these with underlying well being situations, or these round others who’re in danger for extreme issues from flu).
You must speak to your pediatrician in case your youngster’s signs last more than per week or in the event that they develop new signs, equivalent to ear ache or stress of their head that don’t go away.
When is the Flu an Emergency?
The flu is an emergency in case your youngster develops signs equivalent to hassle respiration or uncommon speedy respiration, pale, gray, or blue-colored lips or pores and skin, ribs that seem like they pull in with every breath, chest ache, muscle ache so extreme that they refuse to stroll, dehydration (no urination for eight hours and dry lips/mouth/pores and skin), not interacting with you whereas awake, seizures, or any fever in a baby lower than 12 weeks outdated. In these instances, go to the emergency division instantly!
How can we Forestall the Flu?
As all the time, good hand hygiene is essential to forestall the flu, in addition to staying dwelling in case you or your youngster are having any signs and maintaining your youngster out of college/childcare whereas having any signs. Nevertheless, getting the influenza vaccine every year is one of the best ways to forestall the flu. In case your youngster hasn’t gotten it but, ask your pediatrician if it will nonetheless be useful. There are each shot and nasal spray variations, they usually begin to have a protecting impact about two weeks after they’re given. The influenza vaccine has only a few unwanted side effects and may be given to all kids older than six months, even these with egg allergic reactions. The vaccine can be really helpful whereas pregnant and for healthcare employees.
In case your youngster begins to have flu-like signs, our Washington College Kids’s After Hours places present handy medical care on your youngster’s sicknesses and accidents as a sooner various to E.R.s when your pediatrician’s workplace is closed.
In case of a medical emergency with a baby, decide the place the closest accredited, Degree I pediatric trauma middle is positioned. St. Louis Kids’s Hospital has six pediatric E.R. places throughout the St. Louis and southern Illinois area. These embrace St. Louis Kids’s Hospital, Kids’s Hospital at Memorial Hospital Belleville, Kids’s Hospital at Memorial Hospital Shiloh, Kids’s Hospital at Missouri Baptist Medical Middle, Kids’s Hospital at Northwest HealthCare, and Kids’s Hospital at Progress West Hospital.
Good luck this flu season! We’re right here for any questions and to guage your youngster if they’re having any signs.