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Your Child and the Flu

Did you know that children are up to 3 times more likely to get the flu than adults? Children ages 6 to 10 have the highest rate of flu according to the latest statistics. Children have less natural immunity built up than adults do which is one reason why they have higher incidents of flu. Children also usually have more exposure to the flu virus including close contact at school or daycare.

You can help your child by preventing the flu and by treating the flu at the first sign of flu symptoms.

Your child may have the flu if you notice any of the following symptoms:

Dry cough

Fever, possibly high

Chills

Muscle aches

Headaches

Stomach problems such as diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting

Your child's pediatrician can tell you about recommended treatment options and also about how to prevent the flu.

You have options when it comes to fighting the flu: vaccines to prevent the flu, antivirals, over-the-counter treatments, and non-medical alternatives to help relieve the symptoms. You can also help your child by showing your child how to properly wash hands and how to cover the mouth and nose after coughing and sneezing. Flu vaccines help your child by preventing or lessening the severity of the flu. The flu vaccine is not always 100% effective because each year there are different flu strains and they may not be the same strain as is going around that particular year. The flu vaccine can be given in two different methods (shot and nasal spray). Antivirals are prescription medications that can actually attack the flu virus once your child exhibits symptoms of the flu. Antivirals must be given within 48 hours of the initial flu symptoms. Oseltamivir, Zanamivir, Amantadine, and Rimantadine are antivirals. Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments used for the flu are analgesics, antihistamines, expectorants, cough suppressants, and decongestants. OTCs can help bring relief from the specific symptoms that your child is experiencing. Non-medical alternatives are those things you can do for your child without giving medications such as making sure they wash their hands often properly, and teaching them to use a tissue when sneezing, coughing or wiping the nose.

The flu is more dangerous than most people realize especially for the elderly and young child (6 months to 10 years of age). Any child suffering from a chronic condition or who has a compromised immune system is at high risk for not only the flu but for complications from the flu. Your child's pediatrician will advice you about what to do to help prevent your child from getting the flu possibly by giving your child a flu vaccine. You can also learn ways to prevent the spread of the flu virus in your home by showing everyone the proper way to wash hands and to make sure that every family member washes their hands frequently especially before eating. It is very important that everyone learns how to cover the nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing because the flu virus is spread through the air after someone who has the flu coughs or sneezes and doesn't cover their mouth.