MORE: Kids 6 months and older need a flu shot now, doctors warn. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts, Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter, Personalized Treatments for Your Cold Symptoms, They seem sicker than in any previous episode of illness or doesn’t respond like normal -- for example, if they don’t cry when expected or make good, They aren’t drinking fluids well, continues to vomit frequently, shows. It’s not always easy to tell if your child has the flu. However, unlike the cold, the symptoms of influenza are more severe. If the doctor thinks your child is likely to have a complication from the flu, they may give them antiviral medicines like baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza), oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza). Although many people believe that vomiting and diarrhea are common flu symptoms, they actually aren't. Learn when to call the doctor and when to visit the ER for the flu. Children with colds usually have energy to play and keep up their daily routines. Common Shot Side Side Effects There is no side-stepping the fact that flu shots can cause side effects, especially in younger children who may be getting their shots for the first time. October 23, 2019, Flu: Overview. All rights reserved. Symptoms of Swine Flu in Children. A child (or an adult) will typically show symptoms of the flu one to four days after being infected with the virus. Children do, however, experience vomiting and diarrhea with the flu fairly frequently. . Occasionally, flu can cause serious illness. Kids tend to feel worse during the first 2 or 3 days they're sick. In early December 2003, 6½-month-old Ian Moise began showing signs of being sick. A young child probably isn't going to tell you that she has a headache, but if she complains of pain anywhere on her head, she most likely does. Of last year's flu-related pediatric deaths, about 80 percent of the children had not received a flu … Those can include a sinus infection, ear infection, an asthma flare-up, or pneumonia. ", FDA: "Influenza: Vaccination Still the Best Protection. What are … They might have a fever that comes on suddenly, with chills, a headache, and body aches. If you notice a whistling or wheezing sound when your child coughs or breathes, contact his health care provider, as this could be a sign that he's having trouble breathing., Congestion is a flu symptom that some people experience to a greater degree than others. Kids who get sick with the flu usually get symptoms about 2 days after they were in contact with the flu virus. Key points about the flu in children. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The flu strikes more quickly than a cold, and makes people feel worse. As with all flu strains, the seriousness of the virus increases when children are young and have weakened immune symptoms or respiratory conditions such as asthma. Children definitely experience body aches and pains when they get the flu, but it may be hard for them to tell you how they're feeling. She specializes in pediatrics and disease and infection prevention. Early flu symptoms in kids to watch for Whether they pick it up on the playground, daycare or at school, the flu comes on quickly in kids – and grownups too. The flu can be more serious in children who also have a long-lasting (chronic) disease. Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract. Most typically last a day or two and are almost always mild. Flu is caused by specific influenza viruses and there are several strains that circulate every year. How long does the flu last in kids? In some cases, they can prevent it. Swine flu can have serious complications, and so is very different from the typical flu. Talk to your doctor as soon as you know your child is sick if they're younger than 5 or has an ongoing (chronic) health condition like asthma or other lung disease, heart condition, or diabetes. Testing is done in order to diagnose the flu. Flu is not a major illness. Usually symptoms begin to show up between one and four days after infection. Fatigue: A persistent feeling of tiredness is a classic symptom of the flu, and it generally means that the immune system is working to fight the virus. Young children under age 2 -- even healthy children -- are more likely than older children to be hospitalized from the complications of the flu. 2  If your child has a lot of congestion with the flu, you'll want to keep an eye out for ear and sinus infections, which occur frequently in kids when they're very congested, and the mucus doesn't drain well enough. Flu usually comes on suddenly. Go to the emergency room or call 911 if they have one of the following symptoms: American Lung Association: "Cold and Flu Guidelines: Influenza" and "Influenza Fact Sheet. He awoke from his morning nap and vomited. Here is a list of symptoms to watch out for in children. Still, the best way to prevent the flu is to get the vaccine. Any child can get the flu, but it is especially common in settings such as daycares and schools. Types A and B cause the yearly outbreaks. If you aren't sure whether your child's sore throat is caused by strep or the flu, take him to the doctor to be tested. If your baby or toddler comes down with the flu, symptoms usually last about a week but can linger for up to two weeks. Children with influenza are usually in bed. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2013 Dec 18 [Updated 2019 Nov 7].Â, Recognizing Early Flu Symptoms in Children, Ⓒ 2021 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. These higher fevers aren't necessarily problematic as long as the child feels a little better after you give him Tylenol or Motrin. Just a general description of "I don't feel good" or "it hurts all over" may be all you get. Unfortunately, multiple children die from the flu every year, so take all of the precautions that you can to avoid the flu, and protect your kids from it as well. PMCID: PMC3056681, Children & Influenza (Flu). Possible flu shot reactions may include: They treat bacterial infections, and the flu is a viral infection. Although strep throat is one of the most common causes of sore throats in kids, the sore throat that comes along with the flu can also be pretty bad. People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms: fever* or feeling feverish/chills; cough; sore throat; runny or stuffy nose; These medicines can only be prescribed within the first 48 hours of getting sick. If you notice a whistling or wheezing sound when your child coughs or breathes, contact his health care provider, as this could be a sign that he's having trouble breathing. Although flu symptoms are similar to those caused by a cold, they are in general a lot worse. Yes. If you have a very young child with congestion, use a nasal bulb to remove mucus. The flu and the common cold are both caused by viruses, and the symptoms can be similar -- a stuffy or runny nose, achy muscles, fatigue, a sore throat, fever, or a headache. It may not be quite as intense as strep, and it doesn't usually hurt so bad that it's difficult to swallow. These symptoms typically last five to seven days, though they can last up to two weeks. © 2005 - 2021 WebMD LLC. But some children have a more serious illness and may need to be treated in the hospital. As a parent, you must watch out for these signs in your kids and call the doctor immediately: The child has fever – above 100.4 for babies till 3 months of age and 101.1 for everyone else; Never ending cough and sore throat Sore throats are another common symptom of the flu. New symptoms. Children will often seem more tired than usual and not eat very well before they exhibit any other symptoms of the flu. Pregnant women and caregivers of children younger than 6 months or of children with certain health conditions should get the vaccine. But if they have other flu symptoms as well, you can be pretty sure that they have body aches, too., A cough is a fairly common symptom of the flu for both adults and children, and it can vary from dry to moist-sounding. Flu Symptoms. Although most flu symptoms are the same for adults and children, there are a few differences. Type C leads to mild, random cases. And they feel generally miserable and tired and don't have much of an appetite. If your child is too young to tell you how he's feeling, the first signs of his illness may be a decrease in appetite. That’s because unlike adults, children with the flu can have nausea, stomach pain, and vomiting. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. If your child develops a combination of these symptoms, he or she may have the flu. Nasal saline is available in a gel form that can be used to minimize congestion once the nostrils are cleared of mucus. Talk to your doctor before you give your child one of these products. Almost all people run fevers when they have the flu, but they may be higher in children. When most adults get sick with significant vomiting and diarrhea, they have a stomach virus, not the flu. 2011;57(3):315–318. Mucus builds up in the sinuses, causing pressure and pain, and some children feel that pain in their ears. Fatigue is also normal simply because you are forced to endure aches and pains and all the other symptoms. These treatments can help your kid feel better: Don’t give aspirin to children or teenagers. Symptoms of flu in children are mostly the same as in adults. Unlike a cold, which has a gradual onset of symptoms, the flu comes abruptly. Flu Symptoms . The FDA and drug makers say not to give over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to children under age 4. Learn more about flu prevention on the Children's Health Checkup podcast. Here's What To Expect if You Get Sick, What to Know About Kids and Cough Medications. The Flu: A Guide for Parents. The flu is highly contagious, particularly when kids share close quarters like they do in school classrooms. The early flu symptoms in children are given below: If your child exhibits any of the following flu-like symptoms, contact his or her doctor without delay: Flu is different from a cold. But some children have a more serious illness and may need to be treated in the hospital. As mentioned, the symptoms of the flu can be similar to that of a common cold, especially for kids. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and fatigue. Flu symptoms stay longer than normal. It differs from the stomach virus because it will also be accompanied by other flu symptoms, such as cough and congestion — not just vomiting, diarrhea and fever. But with the flu, people are generally more unwell and flu symptoms may last longer. Yes. Kids tend to run fevers more often than adults. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To minimize the mucus buildup, make sure you're running a good humidifier, encourage your child to drink plenty of water, and have her blow her nose frequently. The CDC says all people 6 months and older should get one. What Does a Flu-like Illness Diagnosis Mean? If you start to notice that your child's appetite has decreased and he isn't as active as usual, monitor him for other flu symptoms, and contact his ​health care provider if you notice any. Symptoms like headache, vomiting and fever are early fly symptoms. This depends on the type of virus and a child's age and general health. Influenza (flu) is a very contagious viral infection of the respiratory system. Symptoms. They may shorten the flu by 1 or 2 days. The illness comes on fast and is more intense than a cold. Influenza (flu) is a very contagious viral infection of the respiratory system. The only way to know for sure is to take your child to the doctor to have he or she checked out and tested. However, the … Read our, Medically reviewed by Benjamin F. Asher, MD, Medically reviewed by Jonathan B. Jassey, DO, Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Molina Ortiz, MD, MPH, Verywell Health uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Headaches aren't a very common symptom for kids when they aren't sick, but they're a common symptom of the flu. Get stomach, nausea, and gag (these symptoms are special in children) Roughly, those are the symptoms of flu attacking the children. If the pain persists or becomes severe, your child may have developed an ear infection as a complication of the flu. Many ear infections in kids will go away on their own but contact her health care provider if you have concerns, and for advice about treatment. We all contract the flu the same way, and exhibit many of the same symptoms, but there are a few key differences that can help when trying to come up with a diagnosis. Influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. A cough is a fairly common symptom of the flu for both adults and children, and it can vary from dry to moist-sounding. 6 Doctors Offer Advice, COVID-19 Symptoms May Follow a Specific Order, Study Finds, When to See a Doctor About Cold and Flu Symptoms, What to Know About an Upper Respiratory Infection. There are many early flu symptoms evident in children. However lack of treatment in time can cause severe complications. If your child is suffering from fever and chills, she probably has the flu. Kristina Duda, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. The common cold and flu share several symptoms including cough, sore throat and congestion.
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