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Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
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Influenza

DESCRIPTION

Influenza (flu) is a viral infection of the nose, throat, trachea, and bronchi that occurs in epidemics every 3 or 4 years (for example, Asian influenza). The main symptoms are a stuffy nose, sore throat, and nagging cough. There may be more muscle pain, headache, fever, and chills than colds usually cause.

For most people, influenza is just a "bad" cold and bed rest is not necessary. The dangers of influenza for healthy people are overrated.

HOME CARE

The treatment of influenza depends on a child's main symptoms and is no different from the treatment for other viral respiratory infections. Bed rest is not necessary.

  1. Fever or aches

    Use acetaminophen every 6 hours or ibuprofen every 8 hours. Children and adolescents who may have influenza should never take aspirin because it may cause Reye's syndrome.

    For more information on treating fever, see Fever.

  2. Cough or hoarseness

    Give your child cough drops. If your child is younger than 4 years old, give corn syrup (1/2 to 1 teaspoon as needed). (See Cough .)

  3. Sore throat

    Use hard candy for children over 4 years old. Warm chicken broth may also help children over 1 year old. (See Sore Throat .)

  4. Stuffy nose

    Warm-water or saline nosedrops and suction (or nose blowing) will open most blocked noses. Use nasal washes at least four times a day or whenever your child can't breathe through the nose. Saline nosedrops are made by adding 1/2 teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of warm water. (See Colds .)

  5. Contagiousness

    Influenza spreads rapidly because the incubation period is only 24 to 36 hours and the virus is very contagious.

    Your child may return to day care or school after the fever is gone and he feels up to it.

INFLUENZA VACCINE AND PREVENTION

Influenza vaccine gives protection for only 1 or 2 years. In addition, the vaccine itself can cause fever in 20% of the people who get the shots and a sore injection site in 10%. Therefore, the vaccine is not recommended for healthy children (unless an especially severe form of influenza comes along). Only children with chronic diseases (for example, asthma) need to come in for yearly influenza boosters. Talk with your physician if you think your child should have flu shots.

CALL YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY IF:

  • Your child is having difficulty breathing.
  • Your child starts to act very sick.

CALL YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICIAN DURING OFFICE HOURS IF:

  • Your child develops any complications such as an earache, sinus pain or pressure, or a fever lasting over 3 days.
  • You have other questions or concerns.

Written by B.D. Schmitt, M.D., author of "Your Child's Health," Bantam Books.
Copyright 1999 Clinical Reference Systems