It’s that point of 12 months – flu season. We’re seeing many instances of Influenza at St. Louis Kids’s Hospital. However hopefully, your baby is not going to be one in all 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 brought on by influenza viruses, which trigger gentle to extreme signs and in some instances, result in hospitalization and even dying. There are two sorts of influenza viruses, A and B. Each trigger seasonal outbreaks annually, often called the influenza or flu season. The flu season often begins within the fall and may final till the tip 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 youngsters; nevertheless, it may well unfold rapidly amongst teenagers and school college students, too.
Who’s Most at Danger from the Flu?
Kids youthful than 5 years outdated, particularly these youthful than two years outdated, and youngsters and adolescents with sure underlying circumstances (similar to power respiratory circumstances) are at highest danger of growing problems from the flu. That’s the reason it’s extremely beneficial that these youngsters get an influenza vaccine. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that every one youngsters 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 (often above 100.4 Fahrenheit)
- Chills
- Headache
- Physique aches
- Being extra drained than ordinary
- Sore throat
- Congestion/stuffy nostril
- Dry, hacking cough
- Some youngsters might have vomiting or diarrhea
After the primary few days of signs, the sore throat, stuffy nostril, and dry cough usually turn into extra distinguished.
How Lengthy Does the Flu Final?
The flu can often final per week and even longer. You may distinguish the flu from the frequent chilly as a result of usually, youngsters with the frequent chilly have solely a low-grade fever, runny nostril, and small quantity of coughing, and signs solely final just a few days. Kids with influenza are a lot sicker, achier, and extra depressing.
Is there Therapy for the Flu?
Some issues can enhance your baby’s signs. Kids will profit from further relaxation and ingesting extra fluids. In case your baby is uncomfortable as a result of fever, acetaminophen or ibuprofen (for youngsters six months or older) might assist. Ensure to examine that you’re utilizing the proper dosages of each. Do NOT give aspirin as a result of youngsters with influenza can develop a situation known as Reye syndrome, which may be very severe.
As a result of the flu is a virus, antibiotics are usually not efficient in remedy. Nonetheless, there’s a prescription antiviral remedy for influenza, and it may be useful if taken throughout the first 1-2 days of signs. When you really feel your baby’s signs simply began, discuss to your pediatrician about getting your baby examined for influenza and probably beginning the remedy. The remedy is very beneficial in youngsters at most danger for extreme sickness from the flu (youngsters below 5 years outdated, these with underlying well being circumstances, or these round others who’re in danger for extreme problems from flu).
It’s best to discuss to your pediatrician in case your baby’s signs last more than per week or in the event that they develop new signs, similar 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 similar to bother respiratory or uncommon speedy respiratory, pale, gray, or blue-colored lips or pores and skin, ribs that appear like 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 baby lower than 12 weeks outdated. In these instances, go to the emergency division instantly!
How can we Forestall the Flu?
As at all times, good hand hygiene is vital to stop the flu, in addition to staying residence if you happen to or your baby are having any signs and holding your baby out of college/childcare whereas having any signs. Nonetheless, 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 could 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 negative effects and may be given to all youngsters older than six months, even these with egg allergic reactions. The vaccine can be beneficial whereas pregnant and for healthcare employees.
In case your baby begins to have flu-like signs, our Washington College Kids’s After Hours areas present handy medical care to your baby’s diseases and accidents as a quicker various to E.R.s when your pediatrician’s workplace is closed.
In case of a medical emergency with a baby, decide the place the closest accredited, Stage I pediatric trauma heart is situated. St. Louis Kids’s Hospital has six pediatric E.R. areas throughout the St. Louis and southern Illinois area. These embody St. Louis Kids’s Hospital, Kids’s Hospital at Memorial Hospital Belleville, Kids’s Hospital at Memorial Hospital Shiloh, Kids’s Hospital at Missouri Baptist Medical Middle, Kids’s Hospital at Northwest HealthCare, and Kids’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.
