Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus that infects the nose, throat, and lungs. Unlike a cold, the flu typically comes on abruptly and is more severe. Children often experience symptoms such as fever, body aches, fatigue, a cough, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea. This guidance focuses on supportive care, safe medication use, and recognizing when a child requires immediate medical evaluation.
Non-Medication Comfort and Care
Supportive measures assist the body’s natural healing process. Adequate rest is necessary, as sleep allows the body to dedicate energy toward fighting the viral infection. Encouraging the child to nap often and limit strenuous activity helps conserve energy throughout the illness.
Maintaining proper fluid intake is important because fever and vomiting can quickly lead to dehydration. Offering clear liquids such as water, oral electrolyte solutions, or clear broths helps replace lost fluids and salts. Electrolyte-rich drinks are helpful if the child is experiencing diarrhea or vomiting.
To help relieve congestion and soothe irritated airways, parents can introduce environmental changes. Placing a cool-mist humidifier in the child’s room adds moisture to the air, which can loosen mucus and ease a cough. Saline nasal sprays or drops can also be used safely to clear nasal passages, making it easier for the child to breathe, especially before feeding or sleeping.
Managing Fever and Pain Relief
Fever and body aches are managed primarily with two over-the-counter (OTC) medications: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil). These medications reduce fever and ease muscle pain, making the child more comfortable. Acetaminophen can be used in infants two months and older, while Ibuprofen is approved for children six months and older.
Precise dosing is necessary to prevent accidental overdose, which can harm a child’s liver or kidneys. The correct dose is calculated based on the child’s current weight, not their age. Parents must use the measuring device provided with the medicine, as household spoons are inaccurate.
Acetaminophen can be given every four to six hours, up to five doses in 24 hours. Ibuprofen is typically dosed every six to eight hours, not to exceed four doses in 24 hours. It is safest to stick to one medication unless a pediatrician advises alternating, as this practice can increase the risk of dosing errors. Always confirm the concentration printed on the bottle before dosing, as liquid formulations come in different strengths.
Important Medication Warnings
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) must never be given to children or teenagers during a viral illness like the flu. This is due to the association with Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition that causes brain and liver damage. Parents should exercise caution with multi-symptom cold and cough medications. These products often contain multiple active ingredients, including fever reducers, and should not be used in children under four years old. Giving a child a combination product alongside a separate dose of Acetaminophen can lead to a dangerous overdose.
Understanding Antiviral Options
Antiviral medications, such as Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), are prescription drugs designed to target the influenza virus, rather than just treating symptoms. These treatments can lessen the severity of the illness and may shorten its duration by one or two days. To be most effective, antiviral therapy must be started ideally within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms.
Antivirals are typically reserved for children who are hospitalized, have severe disease, or are at high risk for developing complications. High-risk groups include children under two years old or those with chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes. Only a healthcare provider can determine if an antiviral is appropriate for a child’s specific age and health status after a medical evaluation.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Attention
While most children recover from the flu at home, certain symptoms signal a need for urgent medical evaluation to prevent serious complications. Difficulty breathing, such as fast or labored breathing, or the skin pulling in around the ribs or neck, is an immediate emergency. A bluish or gray color to the lips, face, or nail beds indicates a lack of oxygen and requires calling emergency services immediately.
Signs of severe dehydration also warrant prompt medical attention, including a decrease in urination (no wet diapers for eight hours in infants or no urination for a similar timeframe in older children). Mental status changes are a serious warning sign, presenting as extreme lethargy, inability to be woken up, confusion, or inconsolable irritability. Additionally, any fever in an infant younger than three months of age should be evaluated by a medical professional. Parents should also seek care if a fever or cough initially improves but then returns and worsens, which can signal a secondary infection.