what to do when your child has the flu

"Mom, I feel cold and achy…"

As a parent, you dread hearing those words. Chills and body aches could hateful the flu, especially at this time of year. And if information technology'southward a weekday, that means keeping your kid abode from schoolhouse. But then what?

First of all, brand certain y'all recognize the typical flu symptoms: fever, chills, coughing, muscle or body aches, airsickness and diarrhea. These symptoms can come up on suddenly and often point to influenza, although it doesn't mean that all these symptoms have to be nowadays. Children, for example, are more likely to experience vomiting and diarrhea than adults. And not everyone with the flu spikes a fever.¹

To go a quick, official confirmation that it'due south actually the flu virus and not, say, a common cold or tummy bug, your kid should have a flu test. Traditionally, the most authentic influenza tests had to be sent to key labs for processing, merely today's molecular tests – like the ID At present™ Influenza A & B 2 – provide accurate, on-the-spot diagnosis within minutes. The simple swab test is available in doctors' offices as well as urgent care centers, pharmacy clinics and emergency rooms. Getting the right diagnosis right away means starting handling early on on, when those treatments work best.

Once a diagnosis of the flu is confirmed, telephone call the school nurse or the school'due south parent coordinator with the information. "It tin be more helpful to tell the schoolhouse that information technology is because of influenza that your child will be out for a few days," says Norman Moore, PhD, director of Infectious Diseases Scientific Affairs for Abbott. "Influenza is highly contagious, which makes information technology a community wellness concern. It'south of import to allow the school know that the virus is present so that others in the school community can take precautions."

The school may take a protocol in place, such as informing the staff and other parents about potential exposure to the flu virus, scheduling manus washing breaks throughout the twenty-four hours or reminding students to coughing into their elbows or to use a tissue when coughing.² The fact is, someone with the influenza can spread the virus to others even before severe symptoms are axiomatic, and classrooms are influenza-friendly environments. The schoolhouse nurse might as well take the opportunity to remind members of the school community to get a flu shot if they oasis't already. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends almanac flu vaccination for anybody over half-dozen months of age. While there are even so a lot of misconceptions most the influenza vaccine, it remains the unmarried most of import way to aid reduce flu disease.^three

Treating the Flu

Getting an accurate diagnosis for your kid also means he or she is more than probable to be treated correctly. This is of import for the influenza because antiviral medications must be taken inside 48 hours of the onset of symptoms to be effective. These medications tin help shorten the elapsing of the flu while preventing serious flu complications (such as ear infection in children and pneumonia).⁴ Beingness treated correctly also ways that your child won't get antibiotics if they don't need them. In the example of the flu, antibiotics don't help at all and could potentially slow recovery.^v

The Road to Recovery

There are other of import steps to accept when your child is home ill with the flu. Make sure he or she stays well hydrated. Water, sports drinks and articulate broth are best; avoid colas and tea with caffeine. Ice chips or frozen pops often help if your kid has a sore throat.

Stock up on over-the-counter medications, tissues, vapor rubs and other items that make convalescing easier. And don't forget to use a disinfectant to wipe downward toys, doorknobs and bathrooms so that other family members don't get ill.

Time spent at home should exist focused on recovery, not homework. Reschedule assignments with the teacher then that your child can brainstorm to catch upwards equally symptoms diminish.

The All-Clear to Return to Form

When you accept to take time off from work or juggle babysitters, it can exist tempting to send your child back to school as shortly as he or she starts to feel better. Merely the CDC recommends that sick children remain home for 24 hours after symptoms begin to subside.⁶ "In the case of the influenza, that can be several days from the onset of sickness," says Dr. Moore. Too soon, and your kid may still be shedding the virus.

Your child should also be fever-gratis (without the help of ibuprofen to tamp down temperature) for 24 hours earlier heading back to form.

"Identifying the virus early on and being prepared every bit soon equally you notice symptoms will non just speed up your own child'due south recovery, information technology volition help keep others in your family and community healthy this flu season," Dr. Moore says.

¹Centers for Affliction Command and Prevention (CDC). Influenza symptoms & diagnosis. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/influenza/symptoms/index.html

^twoCDC. Guidance for schoolhouse administrators to help reduce the spread of seasonal influenza in Chiliad-12 schools. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/influenza/school/guidance.htm#schoolage

³CDC. Who needs a flu vaccine and when. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/forbid/vaccinations.htm

⁴CDC. Influenza Antiviral Medications: Summary for Clinicians. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals/summary-clinicians.htm

⁵Bradley KC et al. Microbiota-driven tonic interferon signals in lung stromal cells protect from flu virus infection. Cell Reports. 2019; 28 (1): 245-256. Available at: https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(xix)30744-2

^viCDC. Guidance for school administrators to help reduce the spread of seasonal flu in G-12 schools. Available at: https://world wide web.cdc.gov/flu/school/guidance.htm#schoolage

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Source: https://www.abbott.com/corpnewsroom/nutrition-health-and-wellness/your-kids-got-the-flu.html

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