What is influenza?
Commonly called the flu, influenza is a virus that affects a person’s respiratory tract. The flu easily spreads to others if the virus becomes airborne. This happens when an infected person coughs, sneezes or even talks. The flu can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications in some people.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
Symptoms of the flu include:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Dry, hacking cough
- Fatigue and weakness
- Headaches and body aches and pains
- Chills
Are there medical complications associated with the flu?
Yes. Some of the complications caused by flu include pneumonia, dehydration and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes. Children also may get sinus problems and ear infections as complications from the flu.
Learn more about protecting your child against the flu
How do I know if my child has the flu?
If you think your child has the flu, your child's doctor may be able to do a simple, rapid flu test in his or her office. This test is done by swabbing the child's nose or throat, and, in many cases, the results will be available in less than 30 minutes. Confirming whether or not your child has the flu allows his or her pediatrician to prescribe the best course of treatment.
What should I do if my child gets the flu?
The best treatment for the flu is rest, plenty of fluids and light meals. To lower fever above 102 degrees and ease body aches, parents may give a child with the flu a pain reliever, such as children’s acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If unsure about the proper dosage, check with your child’s pediatrician. Aspirin should never be given to a child who has or is presumed to have influenza.
Should I take my child to the emergency room if I think he or she has the flu?
Take your child to the emergency center only if he or she appears to have complications of the flu, such as dehydration, difficulty breathing, or alteration in consciousness.
It's best to keep your child at home for a week after flu onset and not expose others to the flu.
Should my child's pediatrician prescribe antibiotics for the flu? Are there other medications that can help?
Influenza is a virus, and antibiotics are prescribed only for bacterial infections. If your child develops a secondary infection, such as an ear infection, then antibiotics may be necessary.
Antiviral medications, such as oseltavmivir (Tamiflu®), may be helpful and can safely be given to children over 1 year to lessen the severity of the influenza infection. To be effective, an antiviral medication must be taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
When will my child get over the flu?
Most children begin feeling better within five days of onset of the flu. However, the body aches and cough associated with the flu can last up to two weeks.
About the author
Dr. Gail Demmler, a pediatric infectious disease specialist and director of the Diagnostic Virology Laboratory at Texas Children's Hospital, answers parents questions about the flu. Demmler, who also serves as a professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, has more than 30 years of experience in managing viral diseases of children.
Want more information on colds and the flu?
Visit the Texas Children's cold and flu resource page.
