Flu In Children

Influenza is a very serious illness, and it can be especially dangerous in children.  When children get diseases, you need to keep an extra close eye on them in order to ensure their condition doesn't worsen too quickly.  When a child with a serious illness like influenza starts to worsen, medical attention should be sought immediately, since flu in children can be fatal in certain circumstances.

As adults, we've had several years to develop a natural immunity to most diseases.  While we may still get sick from mutated forms of the same disease, we don't get nearly as sick as we would if we had no immunity.  Children, on the other hand, haven't had a chance to develop that natural immunity over many years, so if they get hit with something too serious, their bodies can't fight it off.  Influenza is one of those diseases you need to keep and extra close eye on. 

Flu Symptoms In Children

Many of the standard flu symptoms are relatively close to the same as flu in adults.  They will still get a fever, cough, aches, pains, runny nose, the whole nine yards.  In children, however, the fever does tend to be a lot worse than it is in adults.  Where as adults tend to have a temperature of around 102 degrees, children can climb even higher, up to 104.  This brings them very close to the critical point of a fever where brain damage can occur.  This typically only happen if there is a fever of over 105-107 for a lengthy period of time.  It should be watched closely just to be safe. 

Children also have a tendency to develop stomach related issues when they have the flu.  Nausea, heavy vomiting and diarrhea all come along with influenza in children, while those symptoms are more rare in adults.  In children, the diarrhea tends to be the rarer of the three to show up, but it does happen.

What To Watch For

With flu in children, there are certain tell tale signs that you should seek medical attention, sometime almost immediately.  Most of the concern comes from the child potentially developing a complication from the flu, like pneumonia.  While not all of these require that you should rush to the E.R., you should speak with a doctor if any of the following develop.

• Discharge starts coming from the eyes
• Nasal discharge turns yellow and thickens
• Nasal discharge is there for more than 10 days
• Fever doesn't break in less than 3 days.

While all of these symptoms require the care of a doctor, a trip to the hospital isn't needed unless your doctor tells you to do so.  This next list of symptoms, however, does warrant a trip to the hospital immediately.  If your child exhibits any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

• Breathing difficulties begin, which no real relief can be found
• Sicker than they've ever been.  Doesn't respond like they normally would.
• Dehydration.  If the child ever stops drinking fluids.
• The fever isn't helped by medication like ibuprofen.  You doctor should be able to tell you the proper dose for your chid's weight.
• The child starts seizing.