Flu Care

During the winter, nearly every parent worries about the flu (influenza). If your child comes home sick with a sore throat and runny nose, how can you tell whether it’s the flu or a common cold virus?

Both flu and the common cold are caused by upper respiratory viruses, so the symptoms can be similar. But the hallmark of the flu is that it’s generally much more severe, with a higher fever that typically lasts longer, muscle aches, headache and cough.

Cold viruses, in contrast, typically cause a runny nose, sore throat, cough and a lower fever, if they cause any fever at all.

Flu Shots and Mist

The flu virus comes in different strains. Getting a yearly flu vaccine helps your body safely develop immunity to several strains of flu. Depending on how well the vaccine matches the strains of flu circulating in the community that season, its effectiveness is 50% or greater on average.

You can still get sick after being vaccinated if the strain of flu you catch is different from the ones you were vaccinated against. But when that happens, the illness is typically milder.

Parents often wonder which flu vaccine works best for children – the nasal mist or the shot? Researchers have found both to be equally effective, so it comes down to personal preference. A kid who’s very frightened of shots may find the nasal mist less scary. For other children, the sensation of having the nasal mist applied may seem worse than a quick shot. The nasal mist can’t be given to children under age 2, those with asthma or those who live with someone who has a compromised immune system.

Flu Complications

With any viral respiratory illness, secondary complications such as pneumonia or ear infection are a concern. Children with pneumonia will show difficulty when breathing. Look at your child’s chest and rib cage to see if there’s increased effort with each breath. With an ear infection, very young children or babies may touch or tug at their ear, become fussier or have difficulty sleeping. Older kids will complain that their ear hurts.

Both the flu and cold virus symptoms usually peak in three to four days, then gradually improve. If your child’s illness starts to improve and then worsens again, they need to be seen by a doctor.

Never underestimate the dangers of the flu. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which tracks pediatric flu deaths, around 100 children die from flu complications in the United States in a typical flu season. Of these, a little less than half had no preexisting conditions that would have placed them at higher risk for dangerous flu complications.

Comfort Measures

Unfortunately, no medicines will cure the flu or the common cold. There are antiviral medications to help treat influenza in children by shortening the illness by a day or less and help reduce the chances of some complications.

Keep a sick child over age 4 comfortable by giving acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) to reduce fever and achiness. Don’t alternate between the two types of medicine, or give a second dose before the recommended time. Pick the one you think works better for your child. Also, never give aspirin to kids and teens. Aspirin can cause a rare but serious illness in children called Reye's Syndrome and it should not be used with some flu vaccines, such as FluMist.

Cold medicines aren’t safe for children under age 4. They offer little benefit and they can have serious side effects.

Sick children also need plenty of sleep and fluids for hydration. If your child doesn’t want water, you can offer juices, ice pops or slushies made in your blender.

When to Return to School or Daycare

Missing work or finding someone to stay home with a sick kid for many days can be challenging. For older children, missing classroom lessons can be a serious concern. It’s tempting to send your child back to daycare or school at the first sign of recovery, but don’t rush. Although children are most contagious when they have a fever, they can shed virus up to five to seven days after becoming sick. Wait at least 24 hours after your child’s last fever to send them back to school or daycare.

Flu Prevention

Vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu, but not everyone can be vaccinated. Good hygiene during flu season can also help reduce the spread of flu viruses. Viruses are spread by droplets in coughs and sneezes, and from touching surfaces a sick person has touched.

Flu virus left behind on door knobs and hard surfaces can remain infectious for several hours. Set a good example by coughing and sneezing into your elbow and washing your hands frequently.