It’s that point of 12 months – flu season. We’re seeing many instances of Influenza at St. Louis Youngsters’s Hospital. However hopefully, your youngster is not going to be certainly one of them. Right here is a few details about influenza that can assist you preserve 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 demise. There are two kinds of influenza viruses, A and B. Each trigger seasonal outbreaks annually, referred to as the influenza or flu season. The flu season often begins within the fall and might final till the top of spring. When there’s an outbreak or epidemic within the winter months, the sickness tends to be extra frequent in preschool and school-aged kids; nonetheless, it might unfold shortly amongst teenagers and school college students, too.
Who’s Most at Danger from the Flu?
Youngsters youthful than 5 years outdated, particularly these youthful than two years outdated, and youngsters and adolescents with sure underlying situations (equivalent to continual respiratory situations) are at highest danger of growing problems from the flu. That’s the reason it’s extremely advisable 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 typical
- 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 typically change into extra outstanding.
How Lengthy Does the Flu Final?
The flu can often final every week and even longer. You’ll be able to 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 a number of days. Youngsters with influenza are a lot sicker, achier, and extra depressing.
Is there Remedy for the Flu?
Some issues can enhance your youngster’s signs. Youngsters will profit from additional relaxation and consuming extra fluids. In case your youngster is uncomfortable because of the fever, acetaminophen or ibuprofen (for kids six months or older) could assist. Make certain to test that you’re utilizing the proper 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 critical.
As a result of the flu is a virus, antibiotics will not be efficient in therapy. Nonetheless, there’s a prescription antiviral remedy for influenza, and it may be useful if taken in the course of the first 1-2 days of signs. In case you really feel your youngster’s signs simply began, discuss to your pediatrician about getting your youngster examined for influenza and doubtlessly beginning the remedy. The remedy is very advisable 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 problems from flu).
You need to discuss to your pediatrician in case your youngster’s signs last more than every week or in the event that they develop new signs, equivalent to ear ache or strain 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 bother respiration or uncommon fast 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 toddler lower than 12 weeks outdated. In these instances, go to the emergency division instantly!
How can we Forestall the Flu?
As at all times, good hand hygiene is necessary to stop the flu, in addition to staying residence for those who or your youngster are having any signs and protecting your youngster out of faculty/childcare whereas having any signs. Nonetheless, getting the influenza vaccine annually is the easiest way to stop the flu. In case your youngster hasn’t gotten it but, ask your pediatrician if it might 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 negative effects and could be given to all kids older than six months, even these with egg allergic reactions. The vaccine can also be advisable whereas pregnant and for healthcare staff.
In case your youngster begins to have flu-like signs, our Washington College Youngsters’s After Hours places present handy medical care on your youngster’s diseases 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 toddler, decide the place the closest accredited, Stage I pediatric trauma middle is positioned. St. Louis Youngsters’s Hospital has six pediatric E.R. places throughout the St. Louis and southern Illinois area. These embrace St. Louis Youngsters’s Hospital, Youngsters’s Hospital at Memorial Hospital Belleville, Youngsters’s Hospital at Memorial Hospital Shiloh, Youngsters’s Hospital at Missouri Baptist Medical Middle, Youngsters’s Hospital at Northwest HealthCare, and Youngsters’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.