Knowing for sure if your child has the flu can be crucial now that medications are available. In the event that your child exhibits the aforementioned symptoms, and he has been exposed to an infected person, you should suspect influenza. Results from testing using a swab of the throat or nose can be obtained in as little as ten minutes at many doctors’ clinics.
Your child may be eligible for one of the flu drugs indicated above if he tests positive for the virus, or if testing is not available but the flu is highly suspected. It is possible that other members of the household and those who come into close contact with the patient could benefit from taking antiviral medicine to stave against the flu.
Avoiding the Flu
If your child is at high risk for problems from the flu, getting him a flu vaccine every year is the best approach to protect him from getting sick. Your child can be protected from catching the flu if he comes into contact with an infected person by taking one of the many antiviral drugs mentioned above.
Antiviral Drugs
Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections like the flu and the common cold. Your child may recover from the flu a few days sooner if they take one of several antiviral drugs. In most cases, they will only be useful if given to your child within the first couple of days when symptoms appear.
Signs and Symptoms of the Flu
The symptoms of the flu may be similar to those of the common cold, although they are typically more severe. Flu symptoms in children include a rapid onset of high fever, severe headache, muscle pains, and chills, as well as other symptoms such a runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, vomiting, nausea, and lethargy.
Getting Rid of a Cold
Antibiotics are ineffective against the common cold because a virus is responsible for its transmission. Antibiotics won’t hasten your child’s recovery from an upper respiratory infection and won’t protect against subsequent bacterial illnesses like ear and sinus infections.
You can assist your child feel better despite the fact that there is currently no way to prevent or eliminate a cold. His symptoms may improve with the addition of more fluids, a cool mist humidifier, and relaxation. To help keep their nasal passages clear when they can’t blow their nose, saline nasal drops administered with a bulb syringe may be useful for younger children.
Your youngster may benefit from an over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer like Sambucol Cold And Flu, as well as a decongestant and cough suppressant for a cold. Several over-the-counter drugs are not safe or appropriate for children under the age of 6, so check with a pediatrician before giving any to a kid.