The flu season is here, and parents are worried about their children. They want to do everything possible to keep them healthy but may not know when it's time to seek medical attention.
Don't Panic - Keep Calm
Firstly, take a deep breath! Yes, the flu can be scary for parents who have seen just how sick their little ones can get. Yet, there is good news – most cases of childhood flu are relatively mild and will clear up on their own within seven days.
That said, some children may need extra help from a doctor or hospital. When should you make that call? This article will answer what every parent needs to know!
The First Signs
Before anything else happens, your child would exhibit early symptoms of the flu. These signs provide an excellent indication that something more severe might happen if they don't receive proper care.
Here are common initial reactions:
- Fever
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Headache
Initially, these symptoms might look like those caused by colds only much worse in case of older adults or anyone with immune-compromised features (such as people taking immunosuppressive drugs) coming into contact with infected persons: around two weeks after exposure though ranging from one day until four days usually; last few times during which no treatment has started because incubation period varies greatly between individuals so it cannot be predicted precisely (WHO).
A family medicine practitioner at Massachusetts General Hospital Chelsea Health Center named Dr Jacqueline Phillips suggests monitoring your kids ; observing whether they feel unwell while developing respiratory symptoms later (such as trouble breathing). It could warrant admission immediately.
What Are Some Red Flags You Should Watch For?
Are you noticing any serious changes in your child's behavior that aren’t usually present? Here are red flags you should watch out fo whether they are related or not to some flu instances:
- Rapid Breathing Rate
- Severe Headaches
- Dryness of Mouth and Eyes
- Skin Rash (That looks unusual)
"These signs could indicate that your child's body is struggling with the infection," Dr Phillip hints.
Urgency might arise should you notice any peculiar signs like those mentioned above, such as:
- Difficulty breathing/chest tightness/shorter breathing pace; these symptoms can be indicative of asthma - stay alert!
- Dehydration (which may initially present merely as dry lips) but worsens quickly (few hours only) without hydration;
- Inability to wake up after being asleep, irritability & frequent bulging fontanelle in babies (soft spots);
If you happen upon any of the items on this list it will be necessary for you to arrange a schedule with your healthcare provider immediately!
You certainly don't wish that something worse would happen, so act immediately when anything comes up! But until then, let’s turn our attention towards what treatment options we have available.
When Is It Safe To Stay Home With The Flu?
All children who contract flu don't need to stop attending school or daycare centers because they have caught an influenza virus – however parents are mandated to keep close watch over them regardless their age:
- Young infants (<6 months)
- Kids less than five years old.
Regularly calculate temperature changes while monitoring fluid intake quietly explaining why traditional cold medicines won’t help alleviate inconveniences.
Young infants bear a higher risk ---they must see doctors at all times--- developing severe complications from inflammations because immunity isn't yet fully developed (AAP) chemotherapy patients/having immune-suppressive features also face this adaptation period problem sometime while catching seasonal flues becoming fatal if not handled soon enough unlike other people's defense mechanisms.
When Should You Call The Doctor?
It may be tricky to know when your child needs medical intervention. If you have any concerns or witness specific symptoms beyond what we’ve covered, consult a doctor!
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Here are some warning signs:
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High and prolonged fever (> 100.4°F) lasting more than three days
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain
- Blue lips (or tongue)
- Severe headaches
- Body/abdominal (tummy)/joint pains
If these issues slowly develop then it should call for an emergency response without hesitation as the flu virus could hit much harder on children suffering from chronic conditions (such as asthma) because of their weakened immune systems.
In such cases where there seem no improvement after having intakes vast fluids over the following 48 hours and medications appropriate symptom control haven’t done anything; consulting with healthcare officials will undoubtedly aid insuring faster recovery.
Conclusion
Although having influenza is not always safe, rest-assured in knowing that most cases clear up within few days all by themselves plus implementing regularly healthful habits like drinking water -But it can also lead to severe complications in certain circumstances emphasis mine.
You should stay vigilant .(Must follow strict hygiene standards) –wash hands regularly use masks while remaining at crowded places if possible remember kids under six months old require medical attention whenever they exhibit flu-like symptoms/flue infection period!
Remember trust doctors expertise alongside being watchful yourself; so now ought to help determine whether seeking treatment makes sense just don't worry too much thanks its commonness among youth.