Very young children are especially vulnerable to potentially deadly flu-related complications like pneumonia or sepsis.
This article is meant to help you identify warning signs to watch for if your child has the flu.
Keep in mind there is no vaccine for children age 6 months or younger.
Tatyana Tomsickova Photography / Getty Images
Should You Call a Healthcare Provider?
Expect flu symptoms to peak in two to three days and begin improving on day four.
These signs in babies can include:
Other danger signs in children can include extreme irritability and severe headaches.
The following signs in all children can be red flags for severe flu or emerging complications.
High or Prolonged Fever
Spiking a temperature is a pretty standard symptom of the flu.
This means the body isnt getting enough oxygen, and organ damage and other serious consequences can result.
This can have a long-term or even fatal effect on kids.
But theres an obvious difference between not feeling good and being unresponsive.
Asthma is the medical condition most common among children hospitalized for influenza.
Certain medications can help with their recovery.
Anti-Viral Treatment
Antivirals given within 48 hours offer the greatest benefits when treating the flu.
Thats because getting vaccinated helps your childs bodybuild up defensesthey need to fight the flu.
Different flu vaccines are available, but all of them protect against the same strains of flu.
Some kids need two shots and should start their doses in July or August, if possible.
Summary
Influenza is a common childhood infection and most kids recover quickly.
Over-the-counter treatments and home remedies often are effective in treating kids with the flu.
It’s important to have an early and accurate diagnosis.
so contact your healthcare provider immediately if you have concerns about the flu.
You also should consider flu vaccination for your before flu season begins each year.
Centers for Disease Control.Past Seasons Estimated Disease Burden.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Influenza (Flu) in Children.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Protect against flu: caregivers of infants and young children.
MedlinePlus.Your baby and the flu.
Ushay HM.Chapter 136: Cyanosis.Textbook of Pediatric Care.
Harvard Health Publishing.8 things to watch for when your child has a headache.
2018;141(4).
doi:10.1542/peds.2017-2918
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu and People With Asthma.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Should you give kids medicine for coughs and colds?
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Reye’s Syndrome.
Food and Drug Administration.Tamiflu Label.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Influenza (flu) antiviral drugs and related information.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Xofluza.
MMWR Recomm Rep 2023;72(No.
RR-2):125. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.rr7202a1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Estimating Seasonal Influenza-Associated Deaths in the United States.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
