FYI Flu Season is Here!

Hello everyone!  I’m Shelley.  I’m an RN.  I’ve worked in Pediatrics for the past 15 years.  The past 4 years, I’ve been a Pediatric Telephone Triage RN.  This means I get to work from home, which is great for me as a single Mom.  I thought I would share some of the things that I get calls about frequently.  My first blog here is about Flu aka Influenza.  Of course, I’m no expert, but I’m happy to share what I know, as I do with all the parents I talk to on a daily basis.  It might save you a phone call to the triage nurse.  J

Let’s talk about the flu, Moms!  It’s that time of year. 

As if we don’t have enough to worry about as Moms, seeing our kids sick can cause real distress and add more to our plate than we can easily handle.  Panic ensues!  NOT TO FEAR, Mommy!  It will be okay.  Let me talk you down off the ledge.  

Here’s what you need to know about the flu aka influenza: 

It’s a virus = a viral infection of the upper respiratory system = the nose, throat, and lungs.  This means the symptoms you will/might see would include:  runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, headache, chills, body aches, and fever.  Occasionally, as if this weren’t enough, vomiting and diarrhea might also be present. 

The flu virus is spread through tiny, unseen droplets from coughs and sneezes that either get breathed into your child’s nose and mouth or that are on surfaces they touch and then touch their nose or mouth.  My Mom always said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”  Turns out, she was right!  So try to keep your child away from other people who are sick and wipe down things like shared toys and shopping carts, etc.  Make it a habit to wash your hands frequently and your child’s hands too, especially after coughs and sneezes.  The most important way to prevent flu is to get your child vaccinated.  Everyone over 6 months of age should get the flu vaccine.  Talk to your child’s doctor about it.  The first time your baby/child gets the vaccine, they will need two doses, one month apart to get the full immunity. 

How do I know if my child has the flu?  There is no real way to know without getting your kiddo tested.  So, if your child has the symptoms, it’s super important to seek medical treatment early.  Sometimes it’s hard to know if this is a bad cold or the flu.  Don’t try to guess.  I know, “Moms know everything,” but this is probably one exception. 

What if it is the flu?  Sometimes your doctor will prescribe an anti-viral medication like Tamiflu for kids over 1 year of age.  These medications are not a CURE for the flu.  They will only lessen the severity and shorten the duration of your baby’s illness.  These medications work best if they are started within 1 to 2 days of the appearance of symptoms, so get your kiddo to the doctor right away, if you suspect he might have the flu.  It’s especially important to seek treatment right away if your child has other serious medical conditions, like asthma, lung or heart disease, blood disorders, diabetes, or a weakened immune system or neurodevelopmental conditions, etc.

 In addition to anti-virals, the best medicine is always Mom’s TLC.  Of course, supportive treatment directed at individual symptoms is always a great idea and gives us Moms something to do, so we don’t feel so helpless.  Be sure to offer your kiddo lots of fluids and encourage lots of rest.  This could be a great opportunity for some snuggling!  Also, give anti-fever medication as needed and use things like nasal saline washes and suction a baby’s nose to clear out the mucus, so he can breathe easier.  It’s always a good idea to keep a humidifier running as well.  A warm shower or exposure to some steam, by sitting in a steamy/foggy bathroom, can also help clear out the nose and help your child cough up some of that nasty mucus.  The steam thins that mucus out so it’s easier to get rid of it.  (Watch out for burns though and never leave your child unattended – sit in the steamy/foggy bathroom with your child for about 20 minutes).  Yes, I know, many younger kiddos/babies don’t like these things, but that’s when it’s time to put your big girl/Mommy panties on and do it anyway, because your child will love you when he can breathe easier, and you have made it “all better.” Over the counter medications, like cough and cold medicines, antihistamines, and decongestants aren’t generally recommended, because they don’t help very much, and for younger children, can have serious side effects.  You should talk to the doctor about this. 

Obviously, if your child is younger than 1 year of age, you’re stuck with just the supportive treatments described above without anti-virals.  No matter what age, keep a close eye on your child for any worsening of symptoms.  Call for emergency care or take your child in to get medical treatment immediately if he has any of the following warning signs:

-          Breathing fast or having trouble breathing (not just the stuffy nose)

-          Bluish or gray skin color

-          Not drinking or urinating as normal

-          Severe vomiting

-          Not waking up or interacting

-          Extreme irritability or inconsolable

-          Fever or other flu symptoms that go away and then return or worsen – (I’m not talking about a fever than goes away when you give Tylenol or Motrin and then returns when the medication wears off.  I’m talking about a fever than went away for 24 hours and then returns.  You can expect fever for a few days, but if it goes on longer than 3 days, a follow-up phone call or visit to the doctor might be warranted.)

Keep your sick child at home and away from other children and close contacts as much as possible until he has been without fever for at least 24 hours, in order to keep from spreading the flu.  Cover all sneezes and coughs with a tissue and throw the tissue away.  Above all, frequent hand washing is probably the most beneficial way to keep from spreading the disease.  Use soap and water and scrub your hands for as long as it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice.  If you don’t have soap and water handy, at least use an alcohol based hand sanitizer.  Keep surfaces like bedside tables, toys, counter tops clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant like Lysol. 

How long will this last?  In general the fever can last 2-3-ish days, the runny nose can last 7-14-ish days, and the worst news?  The cough can last 2-3 weeks.  I personally wouldn’t let a cough go that long without checking back in with the doctor, just to make sure it hasn’t turned into some kind of secondary bacterial infection, like bronchitis or pneumonia.  (I say “-ish,” because this is not a guarantee, and all kids are different.  All Moms know kids rarely follow the text-books and frequently make us look like liars or idiots – this is no different!)

Okay, so are you down off that ledge yet, Mom?  You are armed with the information you need to help you know what to expect, and some things you can do to help you feel less helpless. 

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"This post intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on SanAngeloMoms. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911."