Winter is coming, and inevitably the flu virus It makes presence every year. Babies and children are especially susceptible to infection as they are themselves the main transmitters of the virus.
The flu is a viral infection that mainly affects the nose, throat, bronchial tubes and, occasionally, the lungs. Unlike the cold, it is caused by a group of viruses called influenza or influenza viruses. We tell you everything you owe about the flu in babies and children, and how to prevent and treat it.
How many flu viruses are there?
There are three types: A, B, and C. Most influenza epidemics are due to influenza virus type A, while type B produces less extensive epidemics and milder disease, and type C rarely causes disease.
Symptoms of the flu in children
When a child gets the flu, he has a series of characteristic symptoms such as:
- Sudden onset of high fever
- Headache
- Muscle and joint pain
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Rhinitis
- Some children may experience vomiting and / or diarrhea.
In Babies and more How to prevent your children from getting sick when it's coldHow is it spread?
The virus is easily transmitted from one person to another through droplets and small particles ejected with cough, sneezing or when people talk.
A person can also become infected by touching a surface or an object that had the flu virus and then touched his mouth, eyes or nose. In the case of children, who share enclosed spaces such as nurseries or nursery schools, it is transmitted very easily.
The flu usually spreads rapidly in the form of seasonal epidemics. These epidemics take place mainly in winter, between October and March in the northern hemisphere and from April to September, in the south. In tropical and subtropical countries, seasonal flu can appear at any time of the year.
How to treat the flu
The flu is not cured with antibiotics. Being a viral infection, the treatment of influenza is symptomatic, that is, it focuses on relieving the symptoms it causes. In exceptional cases, after medical indication, antivirals are used in high-risk groups.
What can we do then?
Offer a lot of water: keeping the child hydrated by offering water frequently is key to avoid dehydration.
Rest: stay at home without going to school and rest all that is needed. It is normal for them to be depressed and sleep more than usual.
Offer them food, but without forcing: Most likely they have no appetite, so offer what you want and in the amount you want. The most important thing is to keep it hydrated. Offer soups, juices, water ...
Anti-thermal such as paracetamol or ibuprofen if there is fever discomfort.
Many pampering: key to make them feel better.
How to prevent infection
Wash your hands frequently, especially before eating and after being in contact with other people.
Avoid direct contact with sick people, and do not take children to school if they are the ones who are sick.
Teach them to cover their mouths to cough, and teach them to clean their snot and throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect toys and objects that children touch and suck (especially if they are going to touch and suck others).
Avoid sharing pacifiers, glasses, dishes and any object that may have been in contact with saliva or nasal secretions. It is a complicated point, especially in nurseries and nursery schools, but it is important to implement basic hygiene measures to avoid contagion.
Clean and ventilate the house a few minutes every day, go out with the children for a while in the street in open spaces and avoid enclosed spaces with many people.
Healthy eating, exercise and good rest: healthy foods help strengthen the child's immune system, preventing infections. The consumption of fruits and vegetables, especially those rich in vitamin A (cereals, vegetables, meats and dairy products), E (olive oil, nuts, etc.) and C (mainly orange, tangerine, kiwi) should be increased.
Anti-flu vaccine: Vaccination is recommended primarily for people at high risk of complications if they have the flu (immunocompromised people, elderly people, pregnant women) and for people in contact with these high-risk groups, as they can be transmitted.
In Babies and more, the 2018-19 flu season begins: we tell you everything you need to know about the vaccine in children and pregnant womenHow long does the flu last
Infection lasts usually a week. The majority of those affected recover within a week or two without receiving medical treatment.
However, in young children, the elderly and people with other serious medical conditions, the infection can lead to serious complications of the underlying disease, cause pneumonia or cause death.
Warning signs
The vast majority of people who get the flu have mild symptoms and are cured with rest, anti-thermal and plenty of fluids, however you have to be alert to symptoms of complications and see a doctor in these cases:
- If the fever persists after 3-5 days
- If the fever exceeds 40th
- If the cough gets worse
- If other symptoms appear such as neck stiffness, seizures, skin blemishes (rash or bluish color) or difficulty breathing
