Often asked: What to do when your toddler has the flu?

What should I do if my toddler has the flu?

What to do if you think your child has the flu

1. Call your doctor. You don’t necessarily need an appointment, but you should call for advice.
2. Stock up on supplies.
3. Make sure your child rests.
4. Push fluids, don’t worry about food.
5. Watch for warning signs.
6. Keep your child home until they are well.
7. Do your best to keep others from getting sick.

How long does the flu last in toddlers?

Most children recover from the flu within a week. But they may still feel very tired for as long as 3 to 4 weeks. A cold is usually mild and often goes away after a few days. The flu can cause severe symptoms and lead to problems such as pneumonia and even death.

What do you give a toddler with the flu?

How to Take Care of Your Sick Toddler

• Make sure he rests. Your toddler will be more tired than usual.
• Get him to drink up. Water, juice, yogurt, electrolyte solutions, and chicken soup are all fine choices to keep him hydrated.
• Bring down the fever. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help.
• Try something sweet.

How can I treat my toddler’s flu at home?

Cold and Flu Remedies

1. Have children sit upright to help them breathe better.
2. Use a bulb syringe to remove mucus from the nose.
3. Use saltwater nose drops to loosen mucus.
4. Use a humidifier or vaporizer in the child’s bedroom to help loosen nasal congestion.
5. Have children drink plenty of fluids.

When should I take my toddler to the ER for the flu?

Children of all ages should be taken to the ER for flu if they experience any of the following emergency warning signs: Have shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Become unresponsive. Suffer from excessive vomiting.

What is the quickest way to get rid of the flu?

What is the best way to get rid of the flu?

1. Take over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to relieve body aches, headache, and fever.
2. Take over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants to help with congestion.
3. Drink lots of fluids.
4. Get plenty of rest.

What are the stages of the flu?

What to expect with the flu

• Days 1–3: Sudden appearance of fever, headache, muscle pain and weakness, dry cough, sore throat and sometimes a stuffy nose.
• Day 4: Fever and muscle aches decrease. Hoarse, dry or sore throat, cough and possible mild chest discomfort become more noticeable.
• Day 8: Symptoms decrease.

At what stage is flu contagious?

People with flu are most contagious in the first three to four days after their illness begins. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick.

Will I get the flu if my child has it?

If your child has flu, it’s difficult not to catch it as you can‘t declare an exclusion zone around a three-year-old. You can, however, keep them away from unvaccinated, vulnerable people.

How do I know if my toddler has a cold or the flu?

Cold vs flu symptoms

With a common cold, the symptoms usually come on gradually with progressively worse cough, runny nose, congestion and/or sneezing. Your child can also have a fever. The symptoms may last 3-10 days. With flu, the symptoms tend to come on rapidly and your child will look and feel more sick.

How do they test toddlers for the flu?

Flu Tests for Children

The doctor may take swabs of mucus from the nose or throat and send them for lab analysis. Several rapid diagnostic kits are now available that vary in sensitivity. The tests can be incorrect; your child may have the flu but their test may come back negative.