Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers

Flu (Influenza)

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Lindsay Huth, B.A.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: November 2001
Last Revision Date: April 2002

Common Questions, Quick Answers

• What is the flu?
• What causes the flu?
• Who can get the flu?
• What are the symptoms of the flu?
• Is the flu contagious?
• How is the flu treated?
• How long does the flu last?
• How can the flu be prevented?
• What should I know about the flu shot?
• When should I call the doctor?

What is the flu?

• The flu is a viral infection that affects the respiratory tract.

What causes the flu?

• The flu is caused by the influenza virus.

Who can get the flu?

• The flu is most common in the winter and early spring.
• Flu most commonly affects children.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

• The first symptoms to show up may include the chills, a fever, headache, aches and pains, and feeling tired or weak.
• Other symptoms could include signs of an upper respiratory infection: sore throat, runny nose, congestion, cough, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• Flu could cause a loss of appetite.

Is the flu contagious?

• Yes. The flu is very contagious.
• Sneezing or coughing can spread the flu.
• Your child should be kept home from school or daycare while she has symptoms. She can return when symptoms are gone, her fever has been gone for 24 hours, and if she feels well.

How is the flu treated?
The flu cannot be cured with antibiotics. Treatment is aimed at easing symptoms. There are new medications that may help with the symptoms. The medications are changing rapidly. They are effective in some cases but not others. You may want to talk to your doctor to see if your child can take one of these medications. Rest will help the body fight infection and ease symptoms.

Fever

• Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol, Temporal Panadol, or Liquiprin) can be used to treat fever, headache, aches and pains, and sore throat. Use the right amount of medication based on weight, not age. (link to table here?)
• Do not give children aspirin or medicine with aspirin in it. It could cause brain or liver damage. Talk to your doctor first.
• Your child should drink plenty of fluids, even more if she has a fever. Children may enjoy Popsicles, Jell-O, ice cream, or applesauce.
• Your child will probably feel tired. If not, it's okay if she plays at home.

Vomiting and Diarrhea

• If your child vomits, stop all food intake. Give her clear liquids slowly, in many small sips. Do not give her plain water or milk at first. Increase fluid, food, and milk products slowly as she is able to keep them down.
• Vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration (not enough fluids in the body). If your child is dehydrated, she may need an oral rehydration solution, or ORS (such as Pedialyte). Talk to your doctor.

Stuffy Nose

• If your infant has a stuffy nose, saline (salt-water) nose drops might help. Drops can be found at the store. Ask the pharmacist for help.
• Use a bulb suction to clear the nose.
• Put 1-2 drops of saline in each nostril.
• Press one nostril closed with your finger. Gently put the compressed (pushed in) bulb into the open nostril.
• Release pressure (let the air back in) on the bulb until the nose is clear.
• Do the other side.

Cough and Congestion

• Put a cool mist vaporizer or humidifier in your child's room. The vaporizer should be cleaned daily with 1 part bleach to 10 parts water.
• Over-the-counter cold medicine might help cough and congestion. It may help your child sleep, too. Ask your doctor first. Treatment could make the cough last longer.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist for help in choosing a brand. Use a medicine made for children.
• Call your doctor before giving an infant any medication.

How long does the flu last?

• The flu usually lasts 3-4 days.
• The cough and weakness could last 1-2 weeks. Children do not need to be kept home from school or daycare because of the cough.

How can the flu be prevented?

• Wash hands often.
• Do not share drinking glasses or eating utensils.
• Getting a flu shot may help fight infection.

What should I know about the flu shot?

• Getting a vaccine, or the "flu shot," can help the body fight some, but not all, flu infections.
• Getting the flu shot is most important for people who are "high risk" and for people living with that person.
• If a person has cancer, asthma, diabetes, anemia, or a chronic disease of the heart, lungs, kidneys, or nervous system, she is at "high risk." Getting a flu infection could be especially harmful to her health.
• In almost all cases, a high-risk person should get the flu shot.
• Call your doctor if any person living in your house is "high risk." Every person in your house should get the flu shot to protect the high-risk person from infection.
• Flu shots are usually given in the late fall.

When should I call the doctor?
Call the doctor if…

• you or a person living in your house is at "high risk" for infection.
• your child shows symptoms of the flu.
• your child has a bad headache, neck pain, back pain, or a stiff neck.
• you cannot calm your child (unusual crying, overly fussy, other strange changes in behavior).
• your child is sleeping more than usual, especially if she is sleeping through feedings.
• your child has a rash.
• your child vomits blood or bile (yellow-green fluid) or continues vomiting even after treatment. (See "Vomiting and Diarrhea" above.)
• your child has a hard time breathing, swallowing, or taking in fluids.
• your child shows sign of dehydration, such as: dry lips, a dry mouth, not urinating in over 8 hours, or small amounts of dark urine.
• your child pulls on her ears or says that her ears hurt.
• your child has a fever that lasts more than 3-4 days.
• your child has a deep cough with lots of mucus.
• your child's symptoms have not gotten better with treatment or she has new symptoms.

Quick Answers

• The flu is a viral infection that affects the respiratory tract.
• The flu is most common in the winter and early spring and in children.
• Symptoms may include chills, fever, headache, weakness, sore throat, runny nose, congestion, cough, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• Sneezing or coughing can spread the flu.
• Treatment aims to ease the symptoms of the infection.
• The flu usually lasts 3-4 days.
• Getting the flu shot can help the body fight some, but not all, flu infections.
• Call the doctor if your child shows symptoms of the flu.

References

• Children's Hospital, Boston. Influenza (flu). Pediatrics. 1992 November (cited 2001 September 27). Available from: URL: http://www.vh.org/Patients/IHB/Peds/infectious/PedsInfluenza.html
• Dowshen, S M.D. Influenza (Flu). KidsHealth. 2001 May (cited 2001 September 28). Available from: URL: http://www.kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=KidsHealth&lic=1&ps=107&cat_id+&article_set=22952
• Glezen PW M.D. Influenza: Information for Parents and Patients. Pediatric Infectious Diseases Journal. (cited 2001 September 27). Available from: URL: http://www.vh.org/Patients/IHB/Peds/Infectious/PedsInfluenza2.html

See related Patient Topics Infections or Influenza.

See related Provider Topics or Infections.

All contents copyright © 1992-2004 the Author(s) and The University of Iowa. All rights reserved.

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