It’s that point of yr – flu season. We’re seeing many instances of Influenza at St. Louis Youngsters’s Hospital. However hopefully, your baby is not going to be one in every of them. Right here is a few details about influenza that can assist you hold your baby wholesome this flu season.
What’s Influenza?
Influenza is a contagious respiratory sickness attributable to influenza viruses, which trigger delicate to extreme signs and in some instances, result in hospitalization and even loss of life. There are two kinds of influenza viruses, A and B. Each trigger seasonal outbreaks annually, often called the influenza or flu season. The flu season normally begins within the fall and might final till the top of spring. When there’s an outbreak or epidemic within the winter months, the sickness tends to be extra frequent in preschool and school-aged kids; nevertheless, it may unfold shortly amongst teenagers and faculty college students, too.
Who’s Most at Danger from the Flu?
Youngsters youthful than 5 years previous, particularly these youthful than two years previous, and youngsters and adolescents with sure underlying circumstances (equivalent to power respiratory circumstances) are at highest danger of creating issues from the flu. That’s the reason it’s extremely beneficial that these kids get an influenza vaccine. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that every one kids get a flu vaccine yearly beginning at six months of age.
What are the Signs of the Flu?
Signs of the flu embody:
- Sudden fever (normally above 100.4 Fahrenheit)
- Chills
- Headache
- Physique aches
- Being extra drained than regular
- Sore throat
- Congestion/stuffy nostril
- Dry, hacking cough
- Some kids could have vomiting or diarrhea
After the primary few days of signs, the sore throat, stuffy nostril, and dry cough usually grow to be extra distinguished.
How Lengthy Does the Flu Final?
The flu can normally final every week and even longer. You may distinguish the flu from the frequent chilly as a result of sometimes, kids with the frequent chilly have solely a low-grade fever, runny nostril, and small quantity of coughing, and signs solely final a number of days. Youngsters with influenza are a lot sicker, achier, and extra depressing.
Is there Therapy for the Flu?
Some issues can enhance your baby’s signs. Youngsters will profit from additional relaxation and ingesting extra fluids. In case your baby is uncomfortable because of the fever, acetaminophen or ibuprofen (for kids six months or older) could assist. Make certain to test that you’re utilizing the right dosages of each. Do NOT give aspirin as a result of kids with influenza can develop a situation referred to as Reye syndrome, which could be very critical.
As a result of the flu is a virus, antibiotics should not efficient in therapy. Nevertheless, there’s a prescription antiviral medicine for influenza, and it may be useful if taken throughout the first 1-2 days of signs. For those who really feel your baby’s signs simply began, speak to your pediatrician about getting your baby examined for influenza and doubtlessly beginning the medicine. The medicine is particularly beneficial in kids at most danger for extreme sickness from the flu (kids underneath 5 years previous, these with underlying well being circumstances, or these round others who’re in danger for extreme issues from flu).
It is best to speak to your pediatrician in case your baby’s signs last more than every week or in the event that they develop new signs, equivalent to ear ache or stress of their head that don’t go away.
When is the Flu an Emergency?
The flu is an emergency in case your baby develops signs equivalent to bother respiratory or uncommon fast respiratory, pale, gray, or blue-colored lips or pores and skin, ribs that appear to be they pull in with every breath, chest ache, muscle ache so extreme that they refuse to stroll, dehydration (no urination for eight hours and dry lips/mouth/pores and skin), not interacting with you whereas awake, seizures, or any fever in a toddler lower than 12 weeks previous. In these instances, go to the emergency division instantly!
How can we Forestall the Flu?
As all the time, good hand hygiene is essential to stop the flu, in addition to staying dwelling in case you or your baby are having any signs and retaining your baby out of faculty/childcare whereas having any signs. Nevertheless, getting the influenza vaccine annually is one of the best ways to stop the flu. In case your baby hasn’t gotten it but, ask your pediatrician if it might nonetheless be useful. There are each shot and nasal spray variations, they usually begin to have a protecting impact about two weeks after they’re given. The influenza vaccine has only a few unintended effects and might be given to all kids older than six months, even these with egg allergy symptoms. The vaccine can also be beneficial whereas pregnant and for healthcare staff.
In case your baby begins to have flu-like signs, our Washington College Youngsters’s After Hours places present handy medical care on your baby’s diseases and accidents as a sooner different to E.R.s when your pediatrician’s workplace is closed.
In case of a medical emergency with a toddler, decide the place the closest accredited, Degree I pediatric trauma heart is positioned. St. Louis Youngsters’s Hospital has six pediatric E.R. places throughout the St. Louis and southern Illinois area. These embody St. Louis Youngsters’s Hospital, Youngsters’s Hospital at Memorial Hospital Belleville, Youngsters’s Hospital at Memorial Hospital Shiloh, Youngsters’s Hospital at Missouri Baptist Medical Heart, Youngsters’s Hospital at Northwest HealthCare, and Youngsters’s Hospital at Progress West Hospital.
Good luck this flu season! We’re right here for any questions and to judge your baby if they’re having any signs.
