Influenza virus in a child, as in adults, is one of three main types of influenza - virus A, B or C. The influenza virus serotype A is subdivided into various subtypes depending on the structure of the virus.

As children become infected with the flu

Influenza is highly contagious, it is particularly easily transmitted when people for a long time in the same room - for example, in the classroom, or in kindergarten. The influenza virus is transmitted when a child either inhales the droplets into the air with the virus (this happens when an infected person coughs or sneezes) or touching infected waste products. A person can spread the influenza virus within one day before symptoms appear, and five to seven days after symptoms disappear completely. A child can get, for example, if he uses a pen or pencil with an infected person, if he is playing with the same toys, or use dishes, which got the virus. Direct physical contact can also lead to infection.

Flu symptoms in children

Influenza causes in children more severe symptoms than the common cold. Typically, the symptoms appear suddenly, and for the next two or three days, the patient's condition may deteriorate. The main symptoms of influenza in children are:

• The high temperature of the body - can rise up to 40C;
• Chills;
• The extreme weakness;
• Headaches and body aches;
• Dry cough;
• A sore throat;
• Vomiting and abdominal pain.

How to prevent getting the flu

The best way to prevent influenza in children - every year to be vaccinated against the virus. Doctors recommend to vaccinate all people older than six months - it provides a sufficiently effective protection against the flu. Healthy children older than two years, in the absence of suspicion of asthma, you can use a nasal flu vaccine. Children aged between six months and two years, injections of the vaccine. People who care for children younger than six months, or children who have certain medical conditions also need to be vaccinated against influenza The flu shot To prevent infection of children. Conventional measures to strengthen the immune system (healthy diet, exercise, vitamins Vitamins for everyone   in winter) to a certain extent reduce the likelihood of getting the flu.

Possible complications

Influenza can cause in children complications such as sinus infections, ear infections, or pneumonia. Consult your doctor if the child's temperature does not decrease within 3-4 days, or if they have any symptoms such as shortness of breath, pain in the ears, a persistent cough; It should also seek medical attention if there is a significant deterioration. In children younger than two years likelihood that due to influenza complications require hospitalization, are significantly higher than in older children.

Treatment of influenza in children

The main objective of the treatment of influenza in children is to alleviate symptoms. Remember that antibiotics are useless with the flu, as with any other viruses - they are only used to treat bacterial infections. Antiviral drugs can be helpful, if you start taking them in the first two days after the onset of symptoms of influenza. Typically, they shorten the disease at one or two days. Their application will be discussed separately. Most often recommended for treatment of influenza:

• Comply with bed rest;
• Drink plenty of fluids;
• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce fever and relieve pain (there are preparations with these substances that are designed specifically for children).

Do not give aspirin to children and teenagers - it increases the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare disorder that occurs almost exclusively in children, and can cause severe damage to the liver and brain.

OTC cough and cold is not recommended for children under 4 years - despite the fact that they effectively relieve the symptoms of flu, they can also cause serious side effects in children. Generally, before giving your child any OTC drugs, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

If a young child stuffy nose, you can drip into each nostril three drops of saline solution - it will help ease breathing.

If a child has a chronic illness such as asthma, heart disease Heart disease - symptoms of heart disease   or diabetes, see your doctor at the first appearance of flu symptoms.

Call an ambulance if your child shows the following symptoms:

• Shortness of breath that persists even after washing with brine;
• The baby's skin becomes bluish or grayish color;
• The child feels much worse than in previous episodes of colds or flu. For example, it does not respond to external stimuli, no eye contact, for a few hours is sluggish, he cries, and shows typical activity;
• The child drinks too little and / or they have any symptoms of dehydration - reduction of the volume of urine, crying without tears, irritability or lethargy;
• Convulsions.

Antiviral drugs for the treatment of influenza in children

Usually, antiviral drugs are prescribed to children who are at increased risk of flu complications. In some cases these medicines are used for the prevention of influenza infection. Antiviral drugs inhibit the replication of influenza virus, preventing it from spreading.

Children who do not have serious health problems, may be given antiviral agents such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza), to reduce the duration of the active phase of the disease and alleviate symptoms. However, some experts believe that a healthy child these drugs is better not to because his immune system is to get experience in fighting disease.

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