Influenza in Children

Influenza is a viral infection and it can cause symptoms like fever in children. Read more about the symptoms of influenza and some tips for preventing and treating it.Influenza which is also known as flu, is an infection that affects respiration and is caused by influenza virus. As winter months set in this virus becomes more widespread. One can catch influenza more than once, because no one stays immune for long. It is also called seasonal influenza because it attacks every year during winters. In this articleHow is it transmitted?What are the symptoms of influenza?Common IndicationsWhat can be done?Tips for faster treatmentHow is it transmitted?Influenza virus mainly attacks the throats and nose and it can easily spread from one person to another. If anyone in the class or family is afflicted by the disease, everyone close to them will also catch influenza. It is extremely contagious and spreads through mere contact with the affected. If you kiss someone or touch them or hold hands with someone who is infected, you can easily get the virus. Germs stay on the eyes, mouth, hands, nose and skin.One can also get infected if they touch something that has been touched by the infected person. Say someone in your childs class has got influenza, and that child touches the doorknobs, tables, chairs, etc. and when your child touches them they all end up getting the virus, and finally getting flu. These germs can also enter the nose or mouth through the air your child breathes, if there is someone with infection sneezing or coughing in proximity.What are the symptoms of influenza?So how is it possible for you to understand if your child has been affected by influenza? Let us discuss some of the symptoms of influenza through which you can detect.Common IndicationsInfluenza hits children harder than the common cold, and makes them feel horrible. Your child cannot play, cannot study, and cannot even get out of bed. Flu or influenza saps the childs energy. They stay in bed. Symptoms of flu are easy to detect. If it affects your new born child then you will notice only fever and no other symptom. The fever will stay on for a long time unless you treat it. Your young child might have convulsions if they are afflicted by influenza.Children might even start vomiting and they can start having intense pain in the stomach. Diarrhoea is something that is also common among children who are young. Your child can have a pain in the ears and you might even observe redness of the eyes. In some cases, there might be swelling of the muscles which can lead to back pain and severe leg pain.Feeling tired, getting cold chills, having fever suddenly during the day, headache are also symptoms of influenza. You can also observe dry cough, sore throat and loss of appetite.What can be done?If you have an infant child who has influenza immediately take them to the doctor, especially if the child is having trouble breathing or vomiting. If you see that the child is coughing blood or does not urinate, take them to the emergency room.Tips for faster treatmentTry to give as much fluids as possible, to your child to help flush the virus. Meals should be full of nutrition. Complete the antibiotic dosage given by your doctor and do not send your child outside. Always give medicines which are prescribed by a doctor, do not try to give them cough syrup or aspirin. One thing that really helps ease throat pain is gurgling with salt water. Do not use too many medicines on your child as it might lead to chemical accumulation in children.Vaccinate your children after consulting your doctor to prevent them from getting affected. Everyone should get a shot because it can spread very easily. Babies below 6 months cannot take a shot so they should be protected. Teach your kids hygiene and about washing their hands all the time.What are the symptoms of influenza? How to prevent influenza in children? What are the ways to treat influenza in children? Discuss here.