Introduction

For parents and caregivers, one of the most challenging questions is when to contact the doctor regarding flu symptoms. Many worry about the possibility of their child having pneumonia. Here are some guidelines for determining when to seek medical advice:

• If the fever persists after 3 days.
• If nasal discharge lingers for more than 10 days.
• If nasal discharge becomes thick and yellow.
• If there is discharge from the eyes.

When to Go to the Hospital

Seek medical attention if the child experiences difficulty breathing that does not improve even after nasal suctioning and cleaning.

Contact a healthcare provider if the child appears sicker than during any previous illness episodes. If the child is unresponsive, not crying as expected, or lacking normal eye contact, or if the child appears listless or lethargic, it's a cause for concern.

If the child is not drinking fluids adequately or shows signs of dehydration, such as the absence of tears when crying, reduced urine output (dry diapers), dry mucous membranes (lips, tongue, eyes), or skin that doesn't return to its normal state when pinched, seek medical advice.

Consult a healthcare provider if a fever persists despite using acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Ensure that you use the appropriate dosage based on your doctor's instructions or the package label. Dosage should be determined by the child's weight, not age.

If a seizure occurs, immediate medical attention is essential.

Self-Care at Home

Flu symptoms can persist for over a week. Caregivers can help alleviate children's discomfort with simple home care practices.

• Ensure the child gets plenty of rest in bed.
• Encourage the child to drink fluids of their choice to stay hydrated.
• To manage fever, use acetaminophen (Children's Tylenol, Infant's Feverall, Junior Strength Panadol) or ibuprofen (Children's Advil, Children's Motrin) as directed on the package or per your doctor's advice. Avoid giving aspirin, as it can lead to Reye syndrome.
• Use a humidifier in the child's room to ease breathing in dry air.

Children may require special attention for certain symptoms.

• For a runny nose: Younger infants often breathe through their noses and can't breathe through their mouths. Ensure the child's nose is clear before feeding or putting them to sleep. Use gentle suctioning with a rubber bulb for younger infants. Older children can blow their noses, but be cautious to avoid pushing secretions into the ear tubes or sinuses. Encourage tissue use and gentle nose blowing.
• If the nose is dry or stuffy, remember that most blockages are due to dry mucus. Use saline nosedrops to loosen the mucus. These drops are available at most drug stores. About a minute after using the drops, gently suck out the loosened mucus with a soft rubber bulb.

Prevention

Practicing hand hygiene by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand gel is crucial for preventing the spread of flu viruses. Avoid touching the mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands.

Vaccination is a primary method for preventing the flu. The inactivated flu vaccine (flu shot) should be administered in the fall. It can be given to children over 6 months old and requires two separate doses for children under 9 who haven't been vaccinated before.

The flu vaccine is also available as a nasal spray (FluMist) for healthy children aged 5 or older, adolescents, and adults under 49. Children aged 5-8 who haven't received the nasal spray before need two doses, administered approximately two months apart. Children taking aspirin should not receive the live vaccine.

Keep children with the flu at home until the fever subsides. Once the fever is gone, children can return to school and daycare.

Outlook

It often takes a few weeks to fully recover and resume normal activities after having the flu. Coughing may persist for several weeks. Antiviral drugs can reduce the duration of illness by 1-2 days if started within 48 hours of symptom onset.