Flu Ways to Soothe the Symptoms
FLU Ways to Soothe the Symptoms
Compared to a cold, the flu can bring major league misery to your child. Influenza--the medical name for the flu--is caused by a virus, just like the common cold. And many of the symptoms are similar--cough, runny nose, sore throat and fever. But if your child has the flu, she'll be much, much sicker.
There are three different influenza viruses--types A, B and C--but which-ever strain your child catches, she's in for a rough time. A fever will zap her on day one and may last for an entire week. Along with the upper respiratory symptoms, she'll have chills and shakes, a ''wiped-out'' feeling, muscle aches and pains and reddened eyes. Some kids, especially infants, also have vomiting or diarrhea.
Ear infection, sinusitis or pneumonia may follow in the wake of influenza, but these secondary infections can be treated with antibiotics. Unfortunately, the flu cannot be stopped this way. (Antibiotics are useless against viruses.) Prescription anti-viral medications such as amantadine have been found helpful in shortening the duration of Influenza A, but their use is limited. To be effective, they must be given within 20 hours after the flu symptoms appear.
In most cases, all you can do for your flu-stricken child is to try and make life a little more bearable. You won't be able to take away all her symptoms, but you can alleviate some of them. Here's how.
Treat the fever, but only if it's high. If your child is really miserable because of aches and fever, acetaminophen (Children's Tylenol) is the treat-ment of choice. Check the package directions for the correct dose for your child's age and weight. If your child is under age two, consult a physician. If your child's temperature is approximately 102° or lower, however, do noth-ing for the fever, advises Naomi Grobstein, M.D., a family physician in private practice in Montclair, New Jersey.
''Fever mobilizes the immune system. And the reaction it creates helps ensure that your child will lie down and take it easy for a while--which is just what she should be doing,'' Dr. Grobstein says.Caution: Never give your child aspirin when she has the flu, says Dr. Grobstein. ''Studies have linked taking aspirin to Reye's syndrome, a severe disease in children that affects the brain and liver.''
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| When to See the Doctor You should call your pediatrician right away if your child appears ill with a high temperature and other signs of flu, says Michael Macknin, M.D., head of the Section of General Pediatrics at the Cleveland Clinic Founda-tion in Ohio, clinical professor at Pennsylvania State University Medical School in Hershey and associate professor of pediatrics at Ohio State University Medical School in Columbus. Be sure to notify the doctor if your child begins suffering from excessive vomiting or diarrhea, has difficulty in breathing, is delirious, has ear pain or is urinating infrequently, says Dr. Macknin. The flu will make your child feel very sick, notes Dr. Macknin, but he should occasionally perk up for 15 to 20 minutes, perhaps after being given some acetaminophen (Children's Tylenol; check the package directions for the correct dose for your child's age and weight, or consult a physician). ''If he stops having good times mixed with the bad, call your physician,'' Dr. Macknin says. |
Raise the humidity. A cool-mist vaporizer placed near your child's bed can help make nasal secretions more free-flowing so your child breathes more comfortably, says Jack H. Hutto, Jr., M.D., chief of pediatric infectious disease at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. '' Your child will benefit from the extra humidity, but be sure to clean the vaporizer often, following the manufacturer's instructions. These machines tend to collect mold and bacteria, which can get sprayed into the air,'' Dr. Hutto says.
Quiet those coughs in the night. If your child's cough is harsh and bothersome, give a nonprescription cough syrup containing dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant, says Michael Macknin, M.D., head of the Section of General Pediatrics at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio, clinical pro-fessor at Pennsylvania State University Medical School in Hershey and associate professor of pediatrics at Ohio State University Medical School in Columbus. ''Don't try to suppress the cough around the clock, though,'' he says.''A cough provides a useful function by helping to clear the lungs of bacteria and debris. So treat it only when it is preventing your child from getting some sleep.'' Dextromethorphan is contained in many brands of children's cough medicine, including Delsym, Robitussin-DM and Triaminic-DM.
| Coping with Chills and Sweats The flu is accompanied by bouts of high fever, so it is likely that your child will experience some chills as his temperature rises, and some sweats when the temperature returns to normal, says Michael Macknin, M.D., head of the Section of General Pediatrics at the Cleveland Clinic Founda-tion in Ohio, clinical professor at Pennsylvania State University Medical School in Hershey and associate professor of pediatrics at Ohio State University Medical School in Columbus. Mild chills precede every fever, says Dr. Macknin, but when there's a very high fever coming on, the chills may be accompanied by violent shaking that can last a few minutes. '' When your child has chills, his brain is telling his body to raise its temperature,'' Dr. Macknin explains. ''To get to the higher temperature, the body has shaking chills--a kind of forced exercise that generates the heat necessary to drive the temperature to the point set by the brain.'' When your child's fever goes down, he may be sweating heavily. ( The evaporation of the sweat helps cool the body off.) The cycle of chills and sweats is a normal one and doesn't need to be treated, according to Dr. Macknin. ''Don't smother your child with blankets when he has chills, because very shortly, he'll be feeling too hot from the fever. A light blanket is usually all that is necessary,'' he says. |
Replenish lost fluids. Kids tend to lose a lot of fluid with a fever, and even more if there is vomiting. So you should push fluids by offering your child a choice of things to drink. '' We adults tend to offer things that make us feel better. But what seems good to you may not appeal to your child,'' says Dr. Hutto. ''Children's taste buds are more sensitive than ours. So when they are ill, they tend to want really bland things without a lot of flavor or odor.''
Try flat soda or diluted rather than full-strength apple juice, he suggests. ''A hot drink such as hot lemonade with honey may be soothing to the throat, but most kids tend to prefer cool drinks,'' he says. If your child is vomiting, keep in mind that the worst is usually over within 6 hours, and kids usually stop throwing up after 24 hours, says Dr. Grobstein. '' Your child will feel awful for a while, but it is not likely that he'll get dehydrated in such a short time,'' she says.
As long as your child's stomach is upset, a teaspoon or so of liquid at a time may be all you can expect him to swallow, Dr. Grobstein says. If your child vomits that small amount of liquid, wait 20 minutes and try again.
Opt for a pop. ''Along with water, offer sugary drinks such as juice or a Popsicle, which is basically sugar-water that's been frozen. A small amount of warm chicken soup is a good addition because it provides sodium--an important electrolyte--and is soothing to the throat besides,'' suggests Dr. Grobstein. Electrolytes are key minerals that help keep the body's electrical charge in balance. And, she notes, ''unless your child is very young, or has other health considerations, you can keep the electrolyte balance normal just by offering this variety of liquids.''
It's usually not necessary to give a child Pedialyte, an over-the-counter fluid often recommended when a child is vomiting a lot, says Dr. Grobstein. While this beverage is formulated to maintain electrolytes, most kids hate the taste, she adds.
Serve some light bites. Your child won't have much of an appetite, but it is important to keep his blood sugar level up so that he'll have less tired-ness, vomiting, headache and fussiness, Dr. Hutto says. ''Think in terms of small carbohydrate snacks: miniature marshmallows, crackers, dry toast, plain bread. The snacks should be fat-free so that they're easily digested,'' he says.
Soothe the sore throat. Dr. Macknin recommends easing throat pain with nonprescription Chloraseptic spray. Or have your child gargle with salt- water. Dissolve ½ teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. '' You can also offer throat lozenges, which kids seem to enjoy because it's like eating candy,'' Dr. Macknin says.
| Who Needs the Flu Vaccine? The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta recommend that kids with chronic heart or lung disease, asthma, diabe-tes or other chronic diseases should be given the influenza vaccine every year. Check with your doctor to find out if your child should be vaccinated. |
Dr. Hutto warns that very young kids can choke on throat lozenges, but a lollipop makes an acceptable substitute.
Give extra TLC. When he's feeling bad, your child will appreciate having some special attention from you. ''Sit down and play a quiet game together, read a book, sing or cuddle your child if he finds it comforting,'' Dr. Grobstein says.
''Make your child's bed as comfortable and as soft as possible,'' adds Dr. Hutto. Some kids also may appreciate a gentle massage to stroke away their aches and pains, he says.
Watch out for a relapse. ''It's typical for a child with the flu to be sick for three to four days, seem better for a day or two, and then get sick for another few days,'' says Dr. Grobstein.
Be on your guard against misleading morning temperatures. ''Body tem-perature tends to be lower in the morning. So a child who registers 99° after breakfast may have a fever of 102° in the afternoon,'' says Dr. Grobstein. Your child should maintain a normal temperature for 24 hours before you let him go back to school, she says.
