How do children get the flu?

Influenza in children is caused by the influenza virus, which is usually benign, but can also progress and cause some dangerous complications such as ear infections, sinusitis, pharyngitis, conjunctivitis, pneumonia.

1. Routes of influenza infection in children

Influenza caused by the influenza virus causes infection of the upper respiratory tract. The disease usually appears in the spring winter and occurs every year, flu virus strains also change every year. Children are more susceptible to influenza, and when they get sick, they are more likely to have it for longer than adults. Here are the routes of influenza infection in children:

  • Person-to-person transmission: A child who comes into direct contact with a person with influenza, through communication, talking, singing, embracing, or when a person with influenza coughs, sneezes transmits the virus directly to the child through droplets.
  • Indirect transmission through the surface of objects: When a person with influenza coughs, sneezing will spread the virus on the surface of objects. If the child comes into contact with a viral object by hand and puts it on his eyes, nose, mouth, he/she will be infected with the virus.
  • Indirect transmission through daily living: Public or day school environments, schools with many other children with influenza, coughing, sneezing, … will disperse into the air the droplets, the epidemic contains viruses.

Influenza in children is usually benign, however it can also progress and cause some dangerous complications such as ear infections, sinusitis, pharyngitis,conjunctivitis, pneumonia. In particular, children under 5 years of age, the immune system is weak, if there is a medical condition or poor resistance, if influenza can lead to complications.

causes of influenza transmission

Children can get indirect influenza through their daily habitat

2. What are the symptoms of a child with influenza?

Symptoms of influenza in children are often mistaken for colds due to the usual weather, however the symptoms of influenza are often more severe. After 1 – 2 infections, children infected with influenza virus and infected will appear the following symptoms:

  • Fever (>38 degrees Celsius).
  • Nasal congestion, runny nose (the translation in the nose may be colorless, or yellowish, blue).
  • Sore throat, cough.
  • Headache, fatigue, soreness make the child uncomfortable, or disturbed, difficult to sleep.
  • Anorexia, vomiting, possible diarrhea.

It should be noted to distinguish the symptoms of influenza in a child from colds:

  • Viral influenza causes high fever, headache, soreness throughout the body and other respiratory symptoms.
  • Weather-insymed colds mainly cause cough, do not cause high fever.

The majority of flu symptoms such as fever can go into remission and disappear after 5-7 days, however, the child still has a cough and prolonged fatigue. After 10-14 days, all symptoms usually disappear completely.

3. How do children get the flu?

3.1 How should a child with influenza be taken to a doctor?

If the child has the flu with the following symptoms, parents should take the child to visit another doctor:

  • High fever (above 38.5oC) and continuously (for more than 3 days), the child is given antipyretics but does not reduce fever.
  • Children quit eating, quit drinking for days, or vomit.
  • Prolonged nasal congestion (more than 14 days) or no remission.
  • Difficulty breathing, rapid breathing.
  • Separation, irritation, convulsions
  • Ear pain, in purulent ears.
  • Sore eyes, red eyes, with yellow rust.

3.2 Treatment of influenza in children

Treatment of influenza in children is different from treatment of influenza in adults. Depending on the condition and degree of the disease, the treatment method varies. If the disease has mild symptoms, the child can be monitored, treated and cared for at home, in which mainly the treatment of symptoms:

  • Take antipyretics if the fever is higher than 38.5 degrees Celsius, orally every 4-6 hours.
  • Water balance and electrolytics for the body due to high fever cause dehydration.

In severe cases or with serious complications or risk factors, the child should be admitted to the hospital for monitoring, diagnosis to determine the cause of the disease and combining active resuscitation treatment. Antibiotics or antivirals may be in place to treat cases of bacterial multiple infections.

3.3 Care for children with influenza

  • Put the child in spacious, well-ventilated clothes, warm compresses when the child has a high fever.
  • Use physiological saline to clean your child's eyes, nose, and mouth as directed by your doctor.
  • Enhances the addition of nutritious, easily digested and easy-to-swallow foods for children. Feed the child several times a day, divided into small meals to ensure the nutrition of the child.

caring for children with influenza

Supplement nutritious foods to increase children's resistance

4. Prevention of influenza in children

To prevent children with influenza,parents and caregivers should note:

  • Maintain personal hygiene by washing your hands often, bathing thoroughly. Wash your hands before eating. When coughing, sneezing, or runny nose should cover and dispose of, wash your hands after sneezing or coughing.
  • Keep your surroundings and homes clean by regularly cleaning.
  • During the flu season, limit access to crowded places or avoid contact with sources of infection.
  • Get vaccinated against influenza every year.

Children are very susceptible to influenza, especially children under 5 years of age due to an under-complete immune system. If the child has mild influenza can be monitored, treated and cared for at home. In severe cases, parents need to monitor the manifestations and take the child to the hospital for timely treatment.

Share99 International Health Hub provides influenza vaccination services. The advantages of vaccination at Share99 include:

  • A team of specialists to examine and screen for all physical and health problems.
  • Vaccination counseling – vaccines for disease prevention and vaccination regimens, how to monitor and care for children after vaccination before prescribing vaccination.
  • 100% of vaccination customers are monitored 30 minutes after vaccination and re-evaluated before leaving.
  • Be monitored before, during and after vaccination at Share99 Health System and always have emergency ekip ready to coordinate with the vaccination department to handle cases of anaphylalacticshock, respiratory failure – stop cyclic, ensure timely treatment, the right regimen when something happens.
  • The vaccination room is airy, clean, quiet.
  • Vaccines are imported and stored in modern cold storage systems, with COLD chains meeting GSP standards, keeping the vaccine in the best condition to ensure quality.
  • Parents will receive a reminder message before the date of vaccination and the child's vaccination information will be synchronized with the national immunization information system.

In addition, Share99 International Health Hub offers a package vaccination program with a variety of vaccines for a variety of subjects, from babies, young children, adults, women before and during pregnancy.

To register your child's vaccination, please contact Share99 Health System nationwide directly or make an appointment HERE.

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SEE MORE:

  • Misconceptions about vaccines – seasonal flu and flu vaccines
  • What to know about influenza vaccination during pregnancy
  • Possible side effects after influenza vaccination
SEE MORE:

  • Genome sequence of influenza virus and genetic characteristics
  • Treatment of influenza complications in children
  • How can the flu virus change?

About: John Smith

b1ffdb54307529964874ff53a5c5de33?s=90&r=gI am the author of Share99.net. I had been working in Vinmec International General Hospital for over 10 years. I dedicate my passion on every post in this site.

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