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Published on: 27th February 2025
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Diana Salama
Toddlers And Flu: What Parents Need To Know
Flu, a more commonly used term for Influenza, is caused by a respiratory virus, both in adults and children. Flu viruses are of three types: Influenza Type A, B and C. It can transmit from person to person via the air-borne droplets, spreading from their cough, sneeze or talking. It can also spread through contact with contaminated surfaces and objects and the subsequent touching of one’s nose, mouth and eyes. The flu virus is quick to spread especially in children and toddlers during winters. Here’s all that parents must know to take care of their little ones if they are diagnosed with symptoms of flu.
Symptoms Of Flu In Kids
Children’s flu is characterized by symptoms like:
- Sudden fever (above 100.4°F or 38°C)
- Drowsiness and less active than usual
- Extreme tiredness
- Body ache / headache
- Sore throat / Runny nose
- Dry cough
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting and diarrhea in some cases
Also Read: Home Remedies For Cough, Cold And Ear Infection In Children
Treating Flu In Infants
Your child deserves the best healthcare in town to fight against influenza symptoms and other medical complications. You need to ensure that your child receives excellent medical care immediately from the top facility and experienced professionals, depending on the diagnosis of the flu and its severity. Additionally, you can also schedule a doctor at home appointment from First Response Healthcare for further assistance and even explore some home remedies to help your kid get well soon. A flu vaccine (flu shot) once a year could prevent your little one from getting the illness in the first place. As a preventive measure, it can be administered to infants aged 6 months and older.
The flu in infants normally doesn’t require any specific medical treatment.
Here’s all that you can still do for your ailing child –
Adequate resting time with good sleep for quicker recovery
- Lot of fluids intake to avoid any dehydration in children
- Medicine management as per dosage prescribed by your pediatrician
- Vaccination protocol as guided by the child care doctor
- Monitoring of child’s health regularly in case of any underlying health conditions
- Urgent attention to emergency symptoms like chest pain, troubled breathing, seizures etc.
The flu is a highly contagious viral infection and hence it is important that you ensure the wellbeing of other members and other children in the family / neighborhood while providing utmost support to your kid. Keep your child indoors and do not send them to school, playground or tuitions as the flu virus can spread in no time to other kids when the children share their belongings with each other. Keep the surroundings clean and disinfected at all times. Ask the child to cover the mouth and nose with a tissue while sneezing or coughing and remind them to wash their hands regularly.
Also Read: The Importance Of Regular Pediatric Check-ups For Child Health
Home Healthcare For Children WIth Symptoms of Flu
Pediatrician visits at home services from First Response Healthcare ensure timely and constant monitoring of your child’s health while fighting flu infection and help in avoiding any critical complications that may arise.
Why at-home pediatric services are important in infant flu treatment?:
- Detecting influenza symptoms in time
- Helping parents differentiate flu from other respiratory infections
- Recommending infant cold remedies in milder cases
- Devising a vaccination and immunization plan customized as per the kid’s needs
- Advising parents on the nutrition and diet aspects for the kid’s overall growth and development
- Fostering parental education to tackle infant flu better
- Ensuring optimal behavioral and emotional health for both the ailing kid and the parents amidst such critical illnesses
- Alleviating anxiety by providing reliable preventive care for immunity building in the kid
Also Read: Pediatric Home Visits – Ensuring The Well-Being Of Your Child
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long does the flu last?
Generally, the flu lasts for about a week. In some cases, it lasts for a little longer too.
Q. Who is at greater risk of getting the flu?
Children with compromised immune systems, chronic pre-existing health conditions, exposure to other infected persons with flu, and those kids who haven’t had their flu vaccines yet – are all at a higher risk of getting the flu.
Q. Is Influenza fatal in children?
Influenza symptoms can be life-threatening in some patients. Severe complications like pneumonia may also arise in children with underlying critical health conditions of the heart, lungs, or kidneys etc.
Conclusion
Observe your child for flu-like symptoms that don’t improve within 24 hours, in order to distinguish the common cold from flu. While the child’s symptoms are enough for a practitioner to advise whether the kid is suffering from flu or not, at times, the doctor can also recommend a nose / throat swab test. Reach out to your doctor to understand if your child needs antiviral medication. This is usually prescribed by the doctor within 48 hours for best results. The medication usually helps reduce the flu period by a day or two. It is strictly advised to never give an aspirin to your child who is showing symptoms of flu as it may lead to other health complications in them. Additionally, antibiotics that fight bacteria can never help in the flu treatment as it’s caused by a virus.
Confused with the symptoms your child is showing? Struggling to understand if it’s a really bad cold or anything serious? Worry not! Avail on call pediatric services from First Response Healthcare, Dubai’s leading home healthcare services company offering 365-day medical assistance at your doorstep, right from diagnostics to chronic disease management. Be it public holidays, or weekends, your child’s health is your top priority. And who better than First Response Healthcare to understand your little one’s unique medical needs? Their team of well-trained and highly skilled medical professionals and child care specialists arrive in just 30 minutes to your homes, ensuring convenience and flexibility, along with sheer peace of mind while you are taking care of your child. Contact us to book an appointment!
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.
