Flu season comes every year and young children who attend preschool, grade school, or plays with other children can easily get the flu. As a preventative measure, it is recommended that once a year you take your child to get a flu shot. This may not prevent all forms of the flu, but it can inhibit many prevailing forms of the current flu.
If your youngster gets the flu, here are a few things that you can do to keep track of their illness and make them feel better faster.
Take Your Child's Temperature
If your child is hot and then cold, then they most likely have a fever and the chills, you should take their temperature several times throughout the day and record it. In this way, you can track their temperature fluctuations should they have complications.
Isolate Your Child
When your child has the flu, it is important to keep them away from other people so that flu germs are not spread. Isolating them is also a good way to keep your child calm and prevent the exertion that can come from interacting with others.
To keep your child isolated, keep them home from school and in bed or on a sofa or couch reading books and watching television. This will keep them entertained and relaxed between naps.
Encourage Your Child To Rest And Sleep
When your child has the flu, they can be tired and listless and want to sleep. You can encourage your child to sleep by allowing them to lounge around, read, watch television and not play with toys or do anything that will get them up from their bed or the couch.
Wash Your Child's Hands
It is important to wash your child's hands several times during the day when they have the flu. This will prevent them from spreading flu germs to you and other members of your family. When taking care of your sick child, it is a good idea to wash your own hands often too.
Offer Your Child Plenty Of Fluids
Give your child as many liquids as possible to keep their body hydrated. To encourage them to get more fluids, give them fruit juices, fruit popsicles, smoothies made with fruit juice and even moisture-rich fruits like melons and grapes.
Give Your Child Acetaminophen Or Ibuprofen
To ease the discomfort of achy muscles, a headache, a sore throat and a stuffy nose, give your child a children's dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Keep track of the dosage and the date and time when you give them this medication so that you can tell their doctor. Recommended dosages can be found on the inside information notice of medications made for children.
Inform Your Child's Doctor That They Have The Flu
Depending on your child's symptoms, the doctor may prescribe a medication to soothe their sore throat or calm their stomach or help with diarrhea. Call your pharmacy before you go to pick up the medication to make sure that they received the prescription from the doctor and have the medication on hand.
If you notice that your child has any complications from the flu, such as breathing problems, chest pains, a bad headache or a lingering fever or a cough, then you should make an appointment to see one of the knowledgeable staff members at Valley Pediatric Clinic. Bring their temperature records and the list of medications taken during the flu, and our doctors will let you know if your child is really better and ready to resume their normal activities.