Button batteries: The hidden dangers and what you can do to keep your kids safe. Symptoms of the flu can include: Fever or chills Headaches Fatigue Coughing Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Body aches Diarrhea Vomiting A child with these regular flu-like symptoms can usually be cared for at home with fever-reducing medication, like Tylenol or Ibuprofen, clear fluids and bed rest.
Click here to schedule an appointment online. The flu can lead to a lung infection called pneumonia. In some cases, the flu can lead to death. The best way to prevent flu is to have the yearly flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is given as a shot injection.
A nasal spray is not recommended for the flu season. The CDC says this is because the nasal spray did not seem to protect against the flu over the last several flu seasons. Each year, a new flu vaccine is available before the start of the flu season. Talk with your healthcare provider if you have questions about how vaccines work and how well they prevent flu. The first time a child between the ages of 6 months and 8 years gets a flu vaccine, he or she will need a second flu vaccine one month later.
The vaccine is advised for all children 6 months and older. The flu shot should be given to any child who has any of these:. Some side effects of the vaccine can be like mild flu symptoms, but the vaccine does not cause the flu.
Possible side effects of the flu vaccine include:. In rare cases, an allergic reaction in a child who has a severe allergy to eggs. Vaccines are available for those with an egg allergy.
You can also:. Have your child cover his or her nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Use a tissue or cough or sneeze in the crook of the arm. The flu may be treated with acetaminophen, cough medicine, and antiviral medicine. Your child will also need lots of rest and drinking plenty of fluids. Keep your child as comfortable as possible.
Offer plenty of fluids and small, nutritious meals. To ease pain, aches or a fever with a temperature greater than Ibuprofen may be used for children over 6 months old. Gargling with warm water will ease a sore throat. For children 3 years of age or older who can safely suck on hard candy without choking can use sugarless hard candy or lozenges containing honey, herbs or pectin.
Throat lozenges containing medications that numb the throat dyclonine, benzocaine, hexylresorcinol, menthol and phenol should not be used by young children because they can make it hard for them to swallow. Antiviral medications If your child has lung or heart disease, an illness that affects the immune system or some other chronic condition that requires regular medical attention and you think your child may have influenza, call your doctor right away.
When should I call my doctor? Call your doctor or take your baby to an emergency department if your baby is under 3 months of age and: is having trouble breathing, is not eating or is vomiting, or has a fever rectal temperature of Take your child immediately to a hospital emergency department or call if your child: has severe trouble breathing or blue lips, is limp or unable to move, is hard to wake up or does not respond, has a stiff neck, seems confused, or has a seizure convulsion.
How can I prevent the spread of influenza? Influenza can be prevented through immunization. Children over 6 months old should get a flu shot each year. When Should Children get a Flu Vaccine Children should be vaccinated every flu season for the best protection against flu. Special vaccination instructions for children aged 6 months through 8 years old Some children 6 months to 8 years old require two doses of flu vaccine.
Children in this age group getting vaccinated for the first time, and those who have only previously received one dose of vaccine, should get two doses of vaccine this season. For those children it is recommended they get the first dose as soon as vaccine is available, because the second needs to given at least 4 weeks after the first. If your child needs the two doses, begin the process early.
This will ensure that your child is protected before flu starts circulating in your community. Be sure to get your child a second dose if they need one. It usually takes about two weeks after the second dose for protection against flu to begin.
Other Preventive Actions In addition to getting a flu vaccine, children and caregivers of young children should take the same everyday preventive actions CDC recommends for everyone, including avoiding people who are sick, washing hands often, and covering coughs.
In the context of the COVID pandemic, local governments or public health departments may recommend additional precautions be taken in your community.
Follow those instructions. Emergency Warning Signs of Flu. People experiencing these warning signs should obtain medical care right away. In adults Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen Persistent dizziness, confusion, inability to arouse Seizures Not urinating Severe muscle pain Severe weakness or unsteadiness Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen Worsening of chronic medical conditions.
What CDC Does. To receive weekly email updates about Seasonal Flu, enter your email address: Email Address. What's this? Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
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