What are Flu Symptoms in Children?

What are the flu symptoms in children?

Children often suffer from flu. It is easy to catch the disease among other children – in kindergarten, at school and in the park. The most common symptom is a very high fever, kids usually have much higher temperature than adults. In case of flu there can be a fever of as much as 104 degrees F (40 degrees C). Among the other flu symptoms in children we can mention: chills, sore throat, dry cough, muscle pains, headache and feeling weak. Moreover, vomiting and stomachache may occur, too. The symptoms mentioned above last about three – five days, but children usually cough and feel tired much longer, even two weeks.

Which flu symptoms in children require doctor’s visit?

Parents often doubt whether they should call a doctor of not if they see that there is something wrong with the child. To be honest, flu symptoms are a reason to worry, especially that the illness often reminds of pneumonia.

Flu Symptoms in Children

Go to the doctor now or immediately call emergency? A good question. First, if your child is under 5 years old and the fever continues for a few days already and the child has nasal congestion, call a doctor. Don’t doubt to call emergency if a child has breathing difficulties, doesn’t get better, shows signs of dehydration. Depending on the flu symptoms in children doctors decide to do various tests, examine the child and then introduce some special treatment. Some doctors decide to examine the mucus from throat or nose. Others decide on a chest X-ray to be sure that the child doesn’t suffer from pneumonia.

How to treat flu symptoms in children?

It is obvious that flu symptoms usually last about a week. In case of a child it is reasonable to stay in bed for a week. Secondly, a child should drink a lot. We should always treat fever which exceeds 38 degrees C, because it is dangerous for the heart. In case of flu symptoms in children it is also advised to use a humidifier which will make the air in a child’s room much wetter. A real problem in case of small children is runny nose because a little child cannot clear it. Some parents try suctioning the nose, older children can blow the nose gently. Doctors usually prescribe some antiviral drugs. After 48 hours of taking the medication symptoms usually get less severe and the patient start feeling a little better.