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
QuestionWhich illness is known as a viral upper respiratory tract infection?
See AnswerMust Read Articles:
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Chronic and Acute Coughs
A cough is a symptom of an underlying disease or condition. A chronic or persistent cough may signal certain lung conditions that should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Common causes of coughs include infection, allergies, lung disease, medications, and GERD (reflux). Acute coughs are categorized as infectious or non-infectious. Chronic cough (persistent cough) have a variety of causes and should be evaluated by physician. Treatment of cough, acute cough, chronic or persistent cough depends on the cause of the cough. -
Diarrhea
Diarrhea can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, parasites, intestinal diseases or conditions, reactions to medications, and food intolerance or allergies. Symptoms of diarrhea include watery stools, abdominal cramping, fever, and dehydration. Most cases of diarrhea can be treated at home. In some cases (in the elderly, small children, or those with severe or chronic medical conditions) may need to be hospitalized due to dehydration. -
Fever in Children
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Flu Vaccine
Flu vaccines may be composed of weakened live flu viruses or killed viruses that protect a person from developing influenza once administered. Reactions to the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu nasal-spray vaccines and shots include headache, nasal congestion, low-grade fever, sore throat, and muscle cramps. -
Influenza (Flu) in Adults
Flu (influenza) is an acute infection of the nose and throat airways. This infection may spread to the lungs. Flu is the most frequent cause of acute respiratory infection in people of all ages. Symptoms of the flu include fever, severe aches and pains, headache, dry cough, sore throat, and at times vomiting and nausea. Treatment for the flu includes home remedies such as OTC pain relievers, rest, and hydration. Medical treatment for the flu includes antiviral medications. -
Sore Throat
Sore throats are generally named for the anatomical site affected, such as: the pharynx, tonsils, adenoids, larynx, and epiglottis. Sore throat treatment depends on the cause, infection, viral, or fungal. -
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.