In the autumn-spring period there is an exacerbation of colds, the first place among which is influenza. Influenza is an acute infectious disease that is transmitted by airborne droplets and is characterized by a high degree of infectiousness. The influenza virus dies when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, to prevent its occurrence, it is recommended to purchase a bactericidal irradiator for the house, which will disinfect the air in the apartment.
The child was ill with the flu: the symptoms
In the case of the child's flu, in most cases there are pronounced symptoms of intoxication and upper respiratory tract infection.
Most strongly the child is susceptible to influenza viruses during the weakening of immunity, which can be observed in the spring and autumn, when the body is experiencing a shortage of nutrients and sunlight.
The child may have the following symptoms:
- elevated body temperature: more often above 38 degrees, which lasts a long time;
- nasal congestion, runny nose, which is most active at night;
- lethargy, drowsiness;
- chills;
- dry cough.
In especially severe cases, the child may experience vomiting, hallucinations, and disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.
Treatment of influenza in newborns
Influenza is common in children under one year, because their immunity is not yet strong enough and they are most often exposed to harmful microorganisms.
The most important protection against the flu of a newborn baby is breastfeeding on demand.
It is not recommended to give young children aspirin or analgin, since its use can cause disruption of the brain and liver, and in particularly severe cases, lead to death.
How to cure a child's flu?
In the case of a child diagnosed with "flu", parents need to reduce the physical load of the child and provide a bed rest, which will avoid complications after a cold.
When the child is sick, most of the time he spends in a stuffy, closed room and experiences a lack of oxygen. However, in case of illness, it is necessary to ventilate the room even more actively, since the children's organism needs oxygen particularly acute during the period of the disease. Frequent ventilation of the room will eliminate pneumonia.
Often during illness the child refuses to eat. But nevertheless the body needs vitamins and energy, which it receives from food. Often parents are faced with the question of what to feed the child with the flu. To maintain strength, the child is particularly in need of more caloric food. However, it is worthwhile to reduce the portions in one meal and increase the frequency of feeding.
During a fever the child experiences increased sweating, his breathing becomes quicker. Therefore, it is important to give as much fluid as possible, which will help replenish the water balance in the body.
With the flu, the child has an elevated body temperature, which can not be reduced to a mark of 37.8 degrees. But if the temperature of the child is higher or does not decrease for a long time, it is necessary to give it antipyretic, since the increased temperature has a negative effect on the nervous system and can cause the child to convulsions.
What to give a child with the flu?
Treatment of influenza in children is accompanied by the appointment of antiviral drugs, which differ not only in their effectiveness but also in their high cost. Most often pediatricians appoint viferon, interferon gamma, tamiflu, relenza, remanthodin.
To treat a cold, parents often resort to the help of vasoconstrictor drugs. However, they should be used with caution, since the risk of getting used to drops, sprays, gels is high. This, in turn, reduces the success of treatment for influenza. If before applying vasoconstrictive drugs to do a nose wash with saline solution, the effect of the remedy will be longer.
A two-year-old child can be given steam inhalations at home using mint, chamomile or sage.
Antibiotics for influenza for children are rarely prescribed, only if there is a bacterial infection. Influence on influenza viruses does not have antibiotics.
Vaccination of children against influenza
The best means of prevention against influenza is vaccination, which can be carried out to a child starting from the age of six months. The most effective vaccination is carried out in the autumn period, because the child's body needs at least 4 weeks to develop a stable immunity against influenza.
It should be remembered that a pediatrician prescribes a flu medicine for children after a thorough examination of the child and the elimination of complications. In particularly difficult cases, there may be a need for inpatient treatment.