Dr. Deena Blanchard, pediatrician and font of knowledge, gives us the tools we need to stay calm and carry on.
It’s official, the CDC has declared a flu epidemic in 2015. In the office we are seeing a good number of children with positive flu tests as well. Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is a virus that infects the nose throat and lungs. The severity of the illness can range from mild symptoms to severe.
How is the flu transmitted?
The flu is spread through droplets that are created when people infected with the flu cough, sneeze, talk or spit. These droplets can land on the nose or mouth of someone in close contact with the infected person. The virus can also be spread by touching a surface with the virus on it and then touching your own mouth, eyes or nose (though this method of spread is less common.) Most people are contagious about 1 day before symptoms until 7 days after symptoms start.
What are the symptoms of Flu and how can I distinguish it from the common cold?
Exhaustion. Children may seem more tired with a cold, but not as exhausted and low energy as children with the flu. Having the flu can feel like you were hit by a Mack truck. It takes time for your child to get back to their baseline energy level. You usually do not see that with the common cold.
Duration. Fever can be present with both a cold and flu. Fevers can range from 100.4 and up and often last 5 days or even up to seven days with the flu. With a cold the fever generally is more brief, 3-4 days. The height of the fever is not an indication of a cold vs a flu or the severity of the illness.
Severity. While both a cold and flu can give you nasal congestion and a cough (wet or dry), but flu also comes with headache, sore throat, abdominal pain and vomiting, general body soreness, overall exhaustion, very decreased appetite, and the chills. And flu symptoms tend to come on more rapidly than with a cold.
When should I call the doctor?
Difficulty Breathing. The quality of the breathing is more important than the noisiness of the cough. If a child is breathing rapidly, meaning their belly is moving up and down quickly or you can see pulling in-between the ribs so you noticed the outline of the ribs, this is a sign a child is working hard to breathe and needs immediate medical attention. Shortness of breath, blue or pale color of the lips, and an inability to speak in sentences are other signs of distress.
Fever. Fever of 100.4 or higher in a child 2 months or younger or fever lasting greater than 48 hours in an older child.
Poor fluid intake. Children with the flu are prone to dehydration. If your child is crying without tears, difficult to rouse, refusing to drink liquids or has not urinated in greater than 6 hours (not including overnight in children who are nighttime trained) you should contact you doctor right away.
High Risk Children. Children who are less than 2 years old, children with asthma, children with chronic diseases or with compromised immune systems are all considered high risk. Children in these categories should be tested for flu more quickly. The same is true for children in close contact with someone with a compromised immune system, asthma or pregnant or with children younger than 2 years old.
Concern. Parents should contact their physician if they think their child has the flu and you are concerned about it. There are tests available for diagnosis. There are other illnesses that can be confused with a cold or flu as well.
Is there treatment for the flu? Who should be treated?
Supportive treatment is the mainstay of flu treatment. Dehydration is common with the flu and a cold as well, so it is important to make sure your child stays well hydrated and gets the electrolytes they need. There are new organic electrolyte replacement drinks, such as Ella’s Kitchen Coconut Water Electrolyte Drink available to combat dehydration from poor oral intake related to sore throat, exhaustion or vomiting. Rest and pain control are important as well. Never give aspirin to children younger than 18 years of age. We also do not recommend cough medicines or decongestants in young children.
There are antiviral medications available to treat the flu such as Tamiflu. Early treatment with Tamiflu can shorten the severity and duration of symptoms in some cases. It is important that treatment begin within the first 48 hours of symptoms. NOT EVERYONE needs Tamiflu. Children mentioned in the high risk categories above may benefit from Tamiflu and you should contact your doctor if you think that your child has flu and fits into one of those categories.
And, of course, frequent hand washing and avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth can help prevent the flu. Wishing everyone a safe and healthy winter.
Deena Blanchard MD, MPH is a board certified pediatrician working at Premier Pediatrics. Dr. Blanchard has been with Premier since 2009. She completed her residency training at the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of Columbia Presbyterian; where she was awarded Physician of the Year in 2007. There she served as a family advocate as part of the family advisory comity. Prior to attending medical school, she completed her Masters of Public Health at Temple University with a focus on health education. Dr. Blanchard attended Medical School at Albert Einstein College of Medicine where she was awarded Alpha Omega Alpha and The American Women’s Association Glascow Rubin Achievement Award. She currently guest blogs for many child-parent sites.
Premier Pediatrics is an established pediatric practice with locations in both Brooklyn and Manhattan. We have been tending to children for over 30 years with a strong focus on state of the art medical care and family wellness. We offer prenatal visits free of charge which can be scheduled by either calling the office 212-598-0331, 718-369-0817 or via our Prenatal Guide. You can LIKE us on Facebook.