Doctor's Notes on Flu in Children (Childhood Influenza)
Flu in children (childhood influenza) is an acute viral infection of the airway and occasionally the lungs, caused by types A, B, and C with type A serotypes causing the most severe disease. Signs and symptoms start about 2-4 days after exposure to the virus and include
- fevers (up to 104 F),
- chills,
- muscle aches,
- abdominal pain,
- vomiting, and
- diarrhea.
Infants less than 6 months of age may show
- lethargy,
- poor feeding, and
- poor circulation.
In most children, the symptoms last about 3-4 days and resolve, but the cough and tiredness may last longer (1-2 weeks). If symptoms become severe, the child needs to be seen by a pediatric caregiver.
The cause of flu in children are influenza viruses. Many children recover spontaneously; however, some viral serotypes like H1N1 may cause severe disease in more children than other serotypes. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get the yearly flu vaccine.
What Are the Treatments for Flu in Children (Childhood Influenza)?
Treatments may vary according to the child's symptoms, age, and general health. The best therapy is prevention with the yearly flu vaccine. Although many children can self-cure this viral disease, medicines may be used to prevent or reduce flu symptoms:
- Acetaminophen helps with body aches and fever reduction. (Caution: Do not give aspirin to children under age 18 years of age.)
- Antiviral medicine may shorten the time to recovery if started within 2 days of the initial symptoms. (Antibiotics don't work against flu viruses.)
- Cough medicine: pediatrician prescribed to reduce coughing
- Home care: Rest, sleep, and drink a lot of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Children with severe flu symptoms or underlying medical problems may need to be treated in a hospital setting.
Cold & Flu : Influenza vs. Common Cold Quiz

Which illness is known as a viral upper respiratory tract infection?
See AnswerMust Read Articles:
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Diarrhea
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Flu Vaccine
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Influenza (Flu) in Adults
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Sore Throat
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Stomach Pain (Abdominal Pain) in Children
Abdominal pain in children can range from trivial to life-threatening. Symptoms of abdominal pain range from vomiting, diarrhea, fever, groin pain, urinary problems, or skin rash. The location of the abdominal pain may be around the belly button, occurs only at night, while eating. The pain pain also may be intermittent. Treatment of abdominal pain in children is depends on the cause. Possible causes of abdominal pain in children include infections, food related (food allergy or food poisoning), poisoning from medication, food, household products, appendicitis, diabetes, or spider bites.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.