Your Child’s Flu When to Call the Doctor

Flu season is one of the roughest times of year, and if you have children, it can be easy to suspect the worst when they tell you they don’t feel well.  Vaccinations can prevent many cases of the flu, but they are not something that all parents are comfortable with.  If your child gets the flu this year, you need to know when to call your doctor and when to just treat them at home.

 

First up, when it comes to your child’s health, call a doctor anytime you have a question or think that something might be serious.  It’s always better to be safe than sorry.  Flu-related symptoms that require more urgent care include labored breathing, dehydration and inability to drink, severely swollen throat or neck glands, or a refusal to eat that lasts more than several days.  Problems that require an urgent visit with your family physician can include high fevers, prolonged diarrhea or vomiting, a severe sore throat that lasts more than two days, or a resistant and productive cough that offers yellow or green mucus.

 

The flu will typically resolve itself within two weeks with only at-home care, but paying attention to your child’s symptoms on an hourly basis is important.  Vomiting and diarrhea can lead to severe dehydration in the space of a few hours, while excessive mucus and a fever can often indicate an infection that may require antibiotics to clear up. 

 

Avoiding complications such as bronchial infections and pneumonia is important at all ages, though older kids tend to have rather resilient immune systems. With these symptoms in mind, it can be much easier to know when it is time to call the doctor and when to simply offer more comfort and attention. 

 

The flu can leave your child (and you) feeling terrible, but with the right treatment and affection, however, they can be feeling better and flu free in no time.

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