Flu in Children (Childhood Influenza): Children may become infected with influenza by inhaling infected droplets in the air or if they come in contact with secretions from an infected person. Symptoms in children include a high-grade fever up to 104 F, chills, headaches, sore throat, cough, and muscle aches. Treatment of flu in children involves rest, increased fluid intake, treating fever with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, using a humidifier, and using a rubber suction bulb to remove nasal secretions in younger children.
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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
Fever is defined as a rectal temperature over 100.4 F or 38 C. Fever isn't life-threatening unless it is persistently high - greater than a 107 F rectal temperature. Fever is usually caused by an infection. Treatment focuses on controlling the temperature, preventing dehydration, and monitoring for serious illness. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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.
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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.
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Flu in Children (Childhood Influenza) Topic Guide - Visuals
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Flu in Children (Childhood Influenza) Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins
Medications:
OseltamivirOseltamivir is an antiviral medication that blocks the actions of influenza virus types A and B in your body...learn more »
ZanamivirZanamivir is an antiviral medicine that blocks the actions of viruses in your body...learn more »
RimantadineRimantadine is an antiviral medicine used to treat or prevent influenza A in people who are at least 17 years old. Rimantadine is also used to pre...
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AmantadineAmantadine is an antiviral medicine that blocks the actions of viruses in your body...learn more »
Acetaminophen (oral/rectal)Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and a fever reducer. There are many brands and forms of acetaminophen available. Not all brands are listed on this leaflet...learn more »
IbuprofenIbuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Ibuprofen works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body...learn more »
Flu in Children (Childhood Influenza) Topic Guide – Related Topics
Related Topics:
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While there are some similarities between the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and influenza, overall, coronavirus disease is a much more serious illness for seve...learn more »
Flu and COVID-19 At the same time
It is technically possible to have both influenza (the flu) and COVID-19 at the same time, because they are different viruses, however, it is extremely uncommon...learn more »
Dehydration in Children
Dehydration in children can result from not drinking enough liquids, vomiting, diarrhea, or combination of these conditions. Causes of dehydration in children i...learn more »
Swine Flu
Prior to 2009, swine flu was a form of influenza that predominately affected swine. The virus was not easily transmitted to humans. However, the swine flu virus...learn more »
