Sometimes as a family,
you get sick together. That is exactly
the case with my family this week. Hubby
was the first one with the ailment. He got
sick with pneumonia from staying too long in the cold weather one night. And the 3 boys followed with the flu complete
with dry cough and fever. Amazingly, I didn’t
catch the bug though. And I’m so
thankful because if I’d get sick no one would attend to them. My 3 boys are doing a good job, although down
with fever they were still their normal alert selves, were eating normally and
chugged down bottles of water and juice to keep them hydrated. I wasn’t even forcing them to do that which
is often the case when they are sick. So
instead of hospitalization, I opted for them to just stay at home and rest and
treated them with their over-the-counter meds.
Instead of panicking, I observed my boys’ disposition if they’re weak or
alert and because they looked okay to me; I just hit the internet for further
info and tips. Otherwise, we’d be going
to their doctor for check-up.
According to the website of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention,
·
Children
younger than 5 years old have a greater chance of having problems with the flu.
Children with a long term condition such as asthma and diabetes are also more
likely to have severe problems if they get the flu. If your child is younger than 5 years of age
or of any age with a long term health condition (like asthma or diabetes), and
develops flu-like symptoms, they are at risk for serious complications from the
flu. Ask a doctor if your child should
be examined.
·
Most
children will get better without needing to go to the doctor. Other children
may have more severe illness from the flu. A child of any age with severe signs
of the flu should go to the doctor.
·
Antiviral
drugs used to treat the flu work best when started within the first 2 days (48
hours) of getting sick. The doctor may start your child on antiviral drugs even
after 48 hours from when flu signs started, especially if your child is in the
hospital or has a higher chance of severe illness from the flu.
·
A
fever is a temperature greater than or equal to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8
degrees Celsius). If you do not have a thermometer, feel your child’s face. If
your child feels warmer than normal, has a flushed appearance, is sweating, or
is shivering, your child may have a fever.
·
If
your child has a fever there are medicines that can be used to reduce the fever.
Some are sold at stores (over-the-counter) and you can buy them freely. Others
require a prescription from a doctor. Make sure you talk to your doctor and see
what medicine your doctor recommends based on your child’s age.
·
Some
medicines sold in stores (over-the-counter) are approved for children to make
them feel better. You should call your doctor to make sure these medicines are
okay for your child. Note that you should never give aspirin to children who
might have the flu.
·
To
reduce the spread of the flu, keep your sick child at home until at least 24
hours after the fever is gone, except to get medical care.
·
Children
can go back to school 24 hours after their fever is gone WITHOUT the use of
medicine that lowers fever.
·
While
your child is sick, make sure your child gets plenty of rest and drinks clear
fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants,
Pedialyte®) to make sure his or her body has the fluids it needs.
·
Keep
your sick child in a separate room in the house as much as possible to limit
contact with healthy household members.
·
Do
not allow your child to share food or drinks with others.
·
Try
to have one person as the main caregiver for the sick child. If possible the
caregiver should be someone who is not at high risk for severe flu, such as pregnant
women or people with health conditions like asthma.
Source:www.cdc.gov
