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Medical Video: The New Flu
Flu, short for influenza, is a disease caused by a respiratory virus. Infection can spread quickly because of transmission from person to person. When someone with flu coughs or sneezes, influenza viruses are mixed into the air content, and people close to him, including children, can breathe it. This virus can also spread when your child touches a hard surface, such as a door handle, and then places a hand or finger on the nose, mouth or rubbing his eyes.
When there is an outbreak or epidemic, this disease most often attacks preschool children or school age. Caregivers are also easily affected and can contract this disease. Viruses are usually transmitted within the first few days of the onset of the disease. All flu viruses cause respiratory diseases that can last a week or more.
Flu symptoms, namely:
- Sudden fever (usually above 38.3 degrees Celsius)
- Shivering and trembling body
- Headaches, body aches, more tired than usual
- Sore throat
- Dry cough
- Shortness, runny nose
Some children can experience vomiting and diarrhea (diarrhea). After the first few days, a sore throat, nasal congestion, and coughing will continue to get worse. Flu can last a week or even longer. A child who has a cold usually has a lower fever, a runny nose, and only a slight cough. Adults usually feel much sicker, more achy, and more disturbed by the flu.
Flu in healthy people, especially children, usually heals around a week or two without other problems. However, you can expect complications if your child says that his ears hurt or feels pressure on his face and head, or if his cough and fever last more than two weeks.
Talk to your doctor if your child has earache, coughing, and a fever that doesn't heal.
Children who seem to have the greatest risk of complications from flu are those with chronic medical conditions, such as heart, lung, kidney disease, immune system problems, diabetes mellitus, some blood diseases, or other malignant diseases. Because these children may have more severe illnesses or complications, if possible, they should be kept away from children who have the flu or flu symptoms. Your pediatrician may recommend precautionary measures. If your child has flu-like symptoms accompanied by difficulty breathing, seek immediate medical help. There are serious complications, even deaths, but thanks to the flu vaccine this is rare.
Treatment
For all children who have flu there are many things that need attention. Children should rest more, be given additional fluids, and foods that are easily digested. Cool mist humidifiers or vaporizers in the room might add humidity to and make breathing through an inflamed nose a little easier.
If your child is uncomfortable with fever, acetaminophen or ibuprofen in the dosage recommended by your pediatrician for age and weight, it will help him feel better. Ibuprofen may be used in children aged six months or more. However, it should not be given to children who are dehydrated or constantly vomiting. It's important not to give aspirin to a child who has the flu or is suspected of having the flu. The use of aspirin during influenza results in an increased risk of Reye syndrome.
Prevention
Everyone must get a flu vaccine every year to renew their protection. This is the best way to prevent getting a cold. Safe vaccines are made every year and the right time to get a flu vaccine is immediately available at the nearest clinic. Vaccination is very important for:
- All children, including premature babies, who are six months and older, especially those who risk high complications of the flu
- Children under five years of age (especially infants under six months)
- All health employees
- All women are pregnant, are considering a pregnancy, new childbirth, or are breastfeeding during the flu season.
The flu virus spreads easily through the air when coughing and sneezing, and through touchable objects such as door knobs or toys and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Here are some tips that will help protect your family from illness.
- Everyone must wash their hands frequently. You can use soap and warm water for at least twenty seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers or sanitizers also work well. Pour enough in your hands then rub them together until dry.
- Teach your child to cover his mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Show your child, when coughing, point to your elbows or upper arms or use a tissue.
- Dispose of all the tissue used for runny nose and sneeze in the trash immediately.
- Wash dishes and equipment in hot soapy water or dishwasher.
- Don't let children share teats, glasses, spoons, forks, washcloths, or towels without washing. Never share a toothbrush.
- Teach your child not to touch his eyes, nose or mouth.
- Wash door handles, toilet handles, countertops, and even toys. Use a disinfectant or cloth with soap and hot water.
There are two types of vaccines to protect yourself from inactive flu vaccines, also called "flu vaccinations," which are given by injection; and the attenuated influenza vaccine sprayed into the nostrils, often called "mist flu." The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that influenza vaccination be given every year for all healthy children starting at six months of age.
If your child receives the flu vaccine for the first time, he will need two doses given at least one month apart. The flu vaccine is very important for children who are at high risk of flu complications such as chronic diseases such as asthma, decreased immune system, kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, or heart disease. All eligible children can receive active vaccines, but only those who are two years or older can receive a spray flu vaccine or "mist." Adults who live in the same house as someone who is at high risk for flu complications or who treats children - children under the age of five must receive an annual flu vaccine.
The flu vaccine has several side effects, the most common being redness, pain or swelling at the injection site, and also fever. Although flu vaccines are produced using eggs, in 2012, influenza vaccines have been shown to have minimal egg protein so that almost all children with egg allergies are considered still safe to receive flu vaccines.
For those who have a history of severe egg allergy (anaphylaxis or breathing or cardiovascular symptoms after consuming eggs), talk to your child's allergist about flu vaccines in their office.
Antiviral drugs to treat influenza infections are now available by prescription. Your pediatrician may be able to treat flu with antiviral drugs. Antiviral drugs work best if taken one to two days since showing signs of flu. Contact your pediatrician in twenty-four hours to ask about anti-viral drugs if your child has a high risk of complications of influenza or if your child:
- Have serious health problems such as asthma, diabetes, sickle cell disease, or cerebral palsy.
- Younger than two years, but especially if younger than six months, because babies have the risk of influenza infection, hospitalization, and serious complications including death.
