FLU:HOME MANAGEMENT TIPS

Influenza:Flu

The influenza (flu) is caused by a virus. The virus infects the nose, throat, and air
passages to the lungs.
Symptoms of the flu include: a runny nose, sore throat, cough, muscle pain, headache, fever, and chills. Flu  spreads when people sneeze, cough, or touch something that a sick person touched. (See "What You May NOT Know About the Flu" in this blog) If your child is between 6 months and 18 years old, he should get a flu shot.

How can I take care of my child?

• Fever or aches.
  Use Acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 6 hours or Ibuprofen (Advil) every 8 hours for discomfort or fever over 102°F (39°C).
  Do not give your child aspirin or aspirin products.
• Cough or hoarseness.
  Give cough drops to your child if he is older than 6 years old. If your child is over 1 year old, you may give her honey (1/2 to 1 teaspoon as needed). Never give honey to babies. If you do not have honey, use corn syrup.
• Sore throat.
  Give hard candy to children over 6 years old. Warm chicken broth may also help children over 1 year old.
• Stuffy nose.
  Put warm-water or saline nose drops into your child's nose. Then have the child blow his nose or you can use a suction bulb. This will open most blocked noses.
• Fluids
  Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids.

Call your child's doctor right away if:

• Your child has trouble breathing.
• Your child is breathing faster than normal.
• Your child's breathing pattern is different in any way.
• Your child starts to act very sick.

Call your child's doctor during office hours if:

• Your child has other problems such as an earache, sinus pain or pressure, or a fever lasting over 3 days. (See "Virus vs Bacteria" in this blog.)
• You have other questions or concerns.