Influenza is an acute infection caused by any of three types of viruses (A, B, or C). Type A strains are associated with the most severe disease. Flu is an acute infection of the airway tract in the nose and throat that can sometimes spread down into the lungs. Flu in adults is a frequent cause of acute respiratory illness. Flu, however, affects people of all ages. Children are among the groups most at risk for developing flu and its complications and are more likely to spread the infection to others. Flu season begins every year mainly in late fall and early winter and usually spreads widely. The peak season for the flu in the northern hemisphere is from November through March.
The flu is caused by one of three types of influenza viruses. Types A and B are responsible for the yearly flu epidemics, and type C causes sporadic illness. Type A is further divided into different subtypes based on the chemical structure of the virus. Influenza is highly contagious. The virus is spread when someone either inhales infected droplets in the air (coughed up or sneezed by an infected person) or when someone comes in direct contact with an infected person's secretions (for example, kissing, sharing of handkerchiefs and other items, and through use of objects such as spoons and forks).
Flu in Children Symptoms
Symptoms may begin two to three days after exposure to the virus. The flu comes on quickly and attacks the upper respiratory system.
Classic symptoms include high-grade fever up to 104 F (40 C), chills, muscle aches, headaches, sore throat, dry cough, and just plain feeling sick. These symptoms usually last for three to four days, but cough and tiredness may linger for one to two weeks after the fever has gone away. Other family members or close contacts often have a similar illness.
In younger children, the pattern of influenza may be a typical influenza-like illness or look like other respiratory tract infections such as croup, bronchitis, or pneumonia. Abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea are frequently observed in children. Vomiting tends to be more significant than diarrhea. Fever is usually high and irritability may be prominent.When should I call my child's doctor?
In infants, the flu often goes unrecognized because the signs and symptoms are not specific and may suggest a bacterial infection. Influenza in infants younger than 6 months of age is less common, but symptoms include lethargy, poor feeding, and poor circulation.
The symptoms of flu in children are more severe than symptoms of a childhood cold. Symptoms of flu in children start abruptly and usually cause kids to feel the worse during the first two or three days of onset. Flu symptoms in children may include:
- a high-grade fever up to 104 degrees F
- chills and shakes with the fever
- extreme tiredness
- headache and body aches
- dry, hacking cough
- sore throat
- vomiting and belly pain
When should I call my child's doctor?
Call the doctor if your child:
• Develops signs of the flu and has rheumatoid arthritis or Kawasaki disease, both of which are treated with long-term aspirin therapy. (In such cases, the benefits of aspirin outweigh the tiny risk of Reye's syndrome.)
• Has an earache.
• Is wheezing or seems to be working harder than usual to breathe.
• Becomes sick again soon after bouncing back from the flu. (He may have a secondary infection that needs to be treated.)
Shows any signs of dehydration
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