A second grader comes home from school with a fever of 102, chills and aching legs. By bedtime, a dry cough has started. Unlike a cold, which builds slowly, the flu often hits within hours. Knowing the common flu symptoms in children, and the warning signs, helps parents decide when to call a provider.
Common Symptoms
Influenza viruses infect the nose, throat and lungs. The body fights back with fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches, tiredness and headache. Children are more likely than adults to have vomiting or diarrhea with the flu. Most symptoms peak in the first two to three days. The cough and tiredness can last a week or more.
When to Call a Provider
The CDC lists children under five, and especially those under two, as being at higher risk for flu complications. Children with asthma, diabetes, heart disease or other chronic conditions are also at higher risk. For these kids, a provider may prescribe an antiviral medicine. Antivirals work best when started within 48 hours of the first symptoms. Symptoms that are not improving after a few days are another reason to call.
Emergency Warning Signs
Emergency care is needed for fast or labored breathing and for bluish lips or face. Chest pain, signs of dehydration such as no urine for eight hours, and seizures are also emergencies. So are a fever with a rash and a child who is hard to wake or will not interact.
Fever That Returns
Some children start to feel better, and then the fever comes back with a worse cough. That pattern can point to a complication such as pneumonia or an ear infection, and it calls for a visit to a provider.
Care at Home
Rest and plenty of fluids help the body recover. Fever medicine should be dosed for the child’s age and weight, as advised by a provider. Aspirin should never be given to children or teens with flu, since it is linked to Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious illness.
Prevention
The CDC recommends a flu vaccine every year for everyone six months and older. Handwashing, covering coughs and keeping sick children home from school slow the spread to classmates and family.
Families in Southfield, Michigan can learn about children’s flu testing from NovaHealth Urgent Care.
This article is general information, not medical advice. If symptoms are severe, call 911.
