How long does the flu last? And when you’ll start to feel
What is the flu? It is caused by a virus that is easily spread from one person to another. The flu virus tends to cause most illnesses during the coldest months of the year. I
When a person has the flu, they usually feel worse than when they have a common cold or cold. Children who get the flu usually have symptoms 2 days after coming into contact with the virus. Its symptoms include the following:
- fever that comes on suddenly
shaking chills
headachef
muscle pains
dizziness
loss of appetite
tiredness or fatigue
cough
sore throat
runny nose
nausea or vomiting
weakness
earache
diarrhea
Babies with the flu may also seem fussy or irritable all of a sudden, or they may simply “look bad.”
What Causes the Flu?
The flu is also called “influenza,” and it gets its name from the virus that causes it, the influenza virus. It is spread when people cough or sneeze virus-infected droplets and breathe in them. The droplets can also settle on things like doorknobs and shopping carts, infecting people who touch those objects and then put their hands to their mouths or noses.
Is the flu contagious?
Yes, the flu is very contagious. People can spread it from a day before they feel bad until their symptoms go away. These usually last about a week in adults, but can last longer in young children.
The flu usually occurs in small outbreaks. When the disease spreads rapidly and affects many people in the same area at the same time, it is an epidemic . Flu epidemics tend to occur every few years. When an epidemic spreads throughout the world, it is called a pandemic . This is much less common. There have been three influenza pandemics in the 20th century, and one so far in the 21st century (2009 influenza A [H1N1]).
During the coronavirus pandemic , experts found that wearing a mask helps protect the community from the spread of germs. They recommended that all children from 2 years of age wear a mask when they are in public places or with people they do not live with. Wearing a mask can also help curb the spread of the flu.
How is the flu diagnosed?
Health professionals often know if a child has the flu just by looking at it. Children with the flu often look and feel bad.
There are other infections that can cause flu-like symptoms. If the health professional has doubts about whether or not it is the flu, a test may be necessary. A sample will be obtained by running a long cotton swab down the inside of your child’s nose or throat. Results can be obtained quickly, or they can take longer if they are sent to a laboratory.
How is flu treated?
Most children with the flu get better at home. Make sure your child:
Take acetaminophen and / or ibuprofen to relieve fever and discomfort. Do not give aspirin, or any other medication that contains salivates, to children or adolescents because these medications have been linked to Reye’s syndrome .
He is dressed in layers of clothing that can be easily put on and taken off.
Doctors may prescribe antiviral drugs to children who are very sick or who are at higher risk of developing very serious symptoms. These medications can shorten the flu by 1 or 2 days.
What problems can there be?
Some children are more likely to have problems with the flu, such as:
children up to 5 years of age, especially babies
people with weakened immune systems from taking medications (such as chemotherapy or steroid use for long periods of time) or from diseases (such as HIV infection ) or cancer).
pregnant women, those who are trying to get pregnant, those who have just had a baby, or those who are breastfeeding .
people hospitalized or residing in healthcare or residential facilities for long periods of time, such as a nursing home.
American Indians and Alaska Natives
If any of the people just mentioned get the flu, their illness may be more serious. These people can develop pneumonia (pneumonia) or get sicker than other people from infections (such as those caused by bacteria)
In these circumstances, many of them will need to receive medical care in a hospital. For this reason, it is important that these people stay away from people who have the flu or flu-like symptoms.
People with flu-like symptoms should keep their distance from those who could become seriously ill if they got the flu.
How long does the flu last?
Fever and other flu-like symptoms usually resolve within a week or so, but some people may continue to have a cough or be weak for longer.
In the United States, most doctor’s offices, clinics, and pharmacies offer the flu shot from September through spring. It’s best to put it on before the end of October to get protection before the flu starts to spread in the community. Even if a person does not get vaccinated early in the flu season, it is not too late to get vaccinated during this season.
If your child is sick, has a fever, wheezing, or wheezing (wheezing), talk with his doctor about whether he should get the flu shot at another time.
What else can help?
To stop the spread of the flu, each and every member of your family should: