Has your child suddenly developed a fever with a cough, sore throat, and chills? It is quite possible that he or she has a case of the flu. Although symptoms may vary from mild to severe, children often need medical care because of the flu. Flu can be very dangerous for children. CDC estimates that between 6,000 and 26,000 children younger than 5 years have been hospitalized each year in the United States because of influenza.
What can I do if my child has the flu?
First, make sure your child gets plenty of rest and stays hydrated. And of course, talk to your doctor early if you are worried about your child’s symptoms. Also, if diagnosed within the first two days, your child’s doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication to help treat the severity of the symptoms and shorten the duration of the flu.
Children younger than 5 years, and children of any age with certain long-term health problems are at high risk of flu complications like pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus and ear infections. If your child falls into this group and develops flu season, please schedule an appointment to bring him/her in right away.
If your child is 5 years or older and does not have long term health problems and gets flu symptoms, including a fever and/or cough, consult your doctor as needed.
Keep your child out of school, day care, or camp so he or she can rest, as well as avoid spreading flu to other children or caregivers. Make sure to keep your child home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine. (A fever is defined as 100°F (37.8°C) or higher).
For more information about the flu, along with preventing and fighting it, you can download this free guide for parents by the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/family/flu-guide-for-parents-2018.pdf
If you have any questions or need to schedule an appointment, please give us a call at 912-871-HUGS (4847).