How to spot flu in children

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Health and Wellness

<p>When your little one is battling a highly contagious, acute respiratory viral infection, it is but natural for you to feel helpless and stressed as a parent.&nbsp;<a href="https://firstresponsehealthcare.com/ae/abu-dhabi" target="_blank">First Response Healthcare</a>&nbsp;hears you and is here for you! Influenza, also known as the ‘Flu’, is a common infection caused by the Influenza virus, affecting both adults and children.</p>

Infants And Flu: An Introduction

Let’s understand in detail from First Response Healthcare’s Dr. Diana Salama on how to deal with symptoms of Flu in children, kids Flu &#8211; its diagnosis and prevention, and expert’s take on infant Flu treatment with home healthcare services in Abu Dhabi.

Treating Flu In Infants: In Conversation With Dr. Diana Salama

<h3>Q1: What are some common symptoms of Flu in children?
</h3>
Unexplained drowsiness, sudden high fever (above 100.4°F or 38°C), behaving less actively than usual, body aches, extreme tiredness, headache, dry cough, stomach pain, sore throat, runny nose, vomiting, and diarrhea (in some children) are a few common Influenza A and B symptoms in kids.
<h3>Q2: How can I help my kids during a Flu-like infection?
</h3>
Since Flu is highly contagious, ensure other family members (along with kids) are also vaccinated. Avoid crowded places during Flu season. Keep children away from other infected persons in your neighborhood as Flu can easily spread through direct and indirect contact and even by inhaling contaminated air droplets. The Flu infection from your kid can also move to other kids at home/school/classes in no time as children usually share their belongings with each other. The surroundings need to be always kept clean and disinfected. Ask your child to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or sneeze and cough into their elbow to avoid the droplets from spreading the infection to others. Remind them to wash their hands often and use a sanitizer regularly.
<h3>Q3: What questions should I ask my doctor about my children’s cold and Flu infection?
</h3>
How does the Flu virus spread? What’s the best way to prevent the flu in my children? Where can my kid get the Flu shot? How many Flu doses does my child need? When onwards can my kid transmit Influenza virus to others? How to know if my child needs hospitalization? These are some frequently asked questions by parents.
<h3>Q4: Does home healthcare work in conditions like infant colds?
</h3>
Yes, absolutely. Home healthcare is proving to be a great boon for those looking for convenience and comfort while availing medical support and doctor on call services. To know more, read this blog: <a href="https://firstresponsehealthcare.com/blog/the-benefits-of-home-health-care-in-abu-dhabi">The Benefits Of Home Health Care In Abu Dhabi</a>.
<h3>Q5: How can I prevent my children from getting Flu?
</h3>
Practice hand hygiene at all times, encourage Flu shots for everyone, it helps build the family’s immunity, teach your kids good etiquette to follow while sneezing and coughing, and ask them to wear a mask in crowded places. 

<h3>Q6: How long does the Flu last in children?</h3>
How long the symptoms of flu can last in children differs from individual to individual. It can last for as little as 24 hours to a week’s time. In certain cases, it even extends beyond that.
<h3>Q7: How do I know if my child falls under the high-risk category?
</h3>
Immunocompromised children, kids with chronic health conditions like cancer, lung, heart or kidney disease, diabetes, and those who haven’t taken their Flu vaccine &#8211; fall under the high-risk category.
<h3>Q8: Is Influenza in children life-threatening?
</h3>
Some children may get severe Influenza symptoms which can be fatal. Children with underlying critical conditions can also develop complications like pneumonia, difficulty in breathing, and asthma flare-ups. Seek urgent help in such emergencies. 
<h3>Q9: How do I know if my child can take the Flu vaccine?
</h3>
Your doctor, based on your child’s health history and medical assessment, can advise on when and how to take a Flu vaccination, whether via a shot or a nasal spray. It’s recommended that individuals aged 6 months and above, till 8 years of age are to be administered with the Flu vaccine twice a year (4 weeks apart), and for those 9 years of age and above, only one dose every year. 
<h3>Q10: When should I reach out to my healthcare provider for my infant’s Flu treatment?
</h3>
If your child is experiencing trouble breathing, ear pain, persistent fever as high as 103°F (39.4°C) to 105°F (40.5°C), pale skin, ribs that pull inside on every breath, lack of urination, seizures, it’s better to talk to your doctor immediately.
<h3>Q11: What are some causes of Flu in kids?
</h3>
Infant Flu spreads through direct and close contact with the infected person, i.e. through the airborne droplets as they talk, sneeze, or cough. It can also be transmitted through indirect contact. Your kid may get the infection after touching any contaminated surface or object and then touching their nose, eyes, or mouth. The Influenza virus symptoms also spreads when kids share their items like pencils, lunch boxes, books, etc. Children can get Flu from infected individuals &#8211; one day before the individual starts to see symptoms of flu  until 5-7 days after the symptoms start.

<h3>Q12: Does the Flu vaccine have any side effects in children?
</h3>
Swelling at the site of injection, redness, fever, and soreness.
<h3>Q13: How to diagnose Flu in infants?
</h3>
Parents tend to often confuse symptoms of infant Flu with the common cold or COVID-19. Speak to your doctor to understand your child’s case better. The doctor can conduct an investigation of the infant’s Flu symptoms and diagnose further with the help of several medical tests. 
<h3>Q14: What are some dos and don’ts to follow when a child is fighting Flu?
</h3>
<strong>Do</strong>: Monitor your child’s health for any Flu-like symptoms. If there’s no improvement in their condition for 24 hours, it’s likely that the symptoms are of Influenza and not a common cold. Consult your doctor for a nose/throat swab test to confirm whether it’s an Influenza symptoms virus. The doctor can also advise on whether an antiviral medication could help. <br>
<strong>Don’t</strong>: Never give an aspirin to your child. Do not send them to play or school before at least a 24-hour fever-free period (without medication).
<h3>Q15: How to care for my child who is battling infant flu symptoms?
</h3>
While home care plays a key role, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medication specifically for the influenza virus after confirmation through a lab test. Alongside this, ensure your child is kept in self-isolation, follows proper hygiene, and receives supportive care such as fever reducers and remedies for nasal congestion, as advised by the paediatrician.. 
<h3>Q16: When is the Flu season generally?
</h3>
Usually in the colder months of the year; it reaches its peak between December and February.
<h3>Q17: What home remedies are recommended for children during Flu season?
</h3>
Plenty of rest &#8211; good sleep &#8211; adequate fluids to avoid dehydration &#8211; medication on time as prescribed &#8211; regular monitoring of child’s health for emergency symptoms, underlying health conditions. This is usually considered a winning formula in infant Flu for parents to follow at home.

<h3>Q18: How can First Response Healthcare help my child and my family?
</h3>
First Response Healthcare‘s certified doctors visit your home after you <a href="https://firstresponsehealthcare.com/ae/abu-dhabi">book an appointment </a>within just 30-45 minutes. They bring in holistic medical care to your doorstep &#8211; everything ranging from cutting-edge technology to highly trained professionals who can administer the child care that’s required in infant flu treatment. From running diagnostic tests at home, recommending infant cold remedies in milder cases, helping parents with an Influenza vaccination and immunization plan, providing referrals to specialists for kids’ nutrition, diet, and overall well-being, offering patient education and parental education both, monitoring child’s behavioral health and fostering emotional support required for the family while dealing with a Flu infection at home, First Response Healthcare is your trusted <a href="https://firstresponsehealthcare.com/ae/abu-dhabi/doctor-on-call">home doctor specialist in Abu Dhabi </a>region.
<h3>Q19: How do I keep myself informed about such health-related information?
</h3>
<p>Find such useful insights and medical tips on varied healthcare and wellness subjects, brought to you by medical experts of First Response Healthcare in their <a href="https://firstresponsehealthcare.com/blog/ae/abu-dhabi/">blogs </a>section. Go, check out and hit the bookmark button to always stay updated on matters of health.</p>
<br>Disclaimer: This content piece is no substitute for direct medical advice. The purpose and intent of this blog is just to impart knowledge, share general tips and spread awareness about health. It is not a replacement to any medical consultation provided by professionals. First Response Healthcare strictly recommends reaching out to qualified healthcare providers and medical experts for personalized advice and further information. 
<h3>

19 Questions On Infant Flu With Dr. Diana Salama

Flu Signs In Children: What Parents Should Know Published on: 28th February 2025 Medically reviewed by: Dr. Diana Salama

Prthika Prasanna

Flu Symptoms In Children: What Parents Should Know

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Health and Wellness

How to spot flu in children

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