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Posts Tagged "Flu"

6Dec2022

Common Respiratory Illnesses for Children in Winter

The winter is the season with the most colds, coughs, and runny noses. It is simpler to spread infectious agents in crowded interior environments, dry hot air, and poor air circulation.

Common Colds

Children often experience three to ten colds per year. Children who attend child care or school for the first couple of years get one or two more colds than children of the same age who exclusively receive care at home and who do not have siblings to spread illness.

Children who have been in child care for a year or more after turning three have fewer colds than those who have not developed an immunity from being in group care.

At least 100 distinct virus types are capable of causing cold symptoms. Runny nose, scratchy or sore throat, headache, cough, sneezing, fussiness, muscle aches, or fatigue are some of the symptoms. Some kids might be experiencing a low-grade fever. A slight increase in body temperature is a sign that the body is attempting to combat an issue. The body uses a fever to fight off illness. As long as the youngster does not feel uncomfortable, these fevers do not require medical attention.

The common cold cannot be cured by medicine. Numerous studies have shown that over-the-counter cold remedies may not work and may even have negative side effects.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

One of the many viruses that cause respiratory illnesses—ailments of the nose, throat, and lungs—is the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The late fall to early spring seasons are when this virus strikes.

RSV typically results in a cold, which may progress to pneumonia or bronchiolitis (a lower respiratory tract infection). In addition to cold symptoms, bronchiolitis symptoms can include wheezing, quick breathing, nose flare-ups, head bobbing while breathing, rhythmic grunting while breathing, belly breathing, pulling between the ribs, and/or pulling around the lower neck.

The average duration of symptoms is 5-7 days. On days three through five of the illness, RSV symptoms are often at their worst. Thankfully, almost all kids who contract RSV recover on their own.

Infants who are more likely to get a severe RSV infection include:

  • Infants who are premature or have low birth weight at the beginning of the RSV season are young chronologically (less than 12 weeks) (especially those born before 29 weeks gestation)
  • Perinatal chronic lung disease
  • Babies with certain heart abnormalities
  • Those whose immune systems are compromised as a result of disease or medical interventions

Low birth weight, having siblings, maternal smoking during pregnancy, exposure to secondhand smoke in the home, a history of atopy (allergies/eczema), not breastfeeding, being around children in a child care setting, or living in crowded conditions are additional risk factors for severe RSV infections.

In the event that a youngster experiences any of the following:

  • Bronchitis signs and symptoms (listed above)
  • Dehydration signs and symptoms (fewer than one wet diaper every eight hours)
  • Pauses or breathing issues
  • Color of the tongue, lips, or skin is gray or blue.
  • Markedly reduced activity and alertness

Influenza (Flu)

The flu virus is frequent and unexpected. Even in youngsters who are healthy, it can result in catastrophic consequences.

Serious flu-related consequences are more likely to affect some persons. These consist of:

  • Children under the age of five, particularly those under the age of two
  • Premature babies
  • Children of any age who have certain long-term health issues, such as heart disease, lung disease, a neurologic or neurodevelopmental impairment like asthma,
  • Expecting mothers
  • Adults 65 years of age and older: Adults’ immune systems deteriorate with age.

The flu vaccine aids in lowering the number of serious illnesses and fatalities brought on by influenza each year. The national American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that any approved, suggested, and age-appropriate vaccine be given for the 2021–2022 flu season.

For the current flu season, children older than six months, parents, and other family members should all get the flu shot.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Please get in touch with Kid’s 1st Pediatrics for details on how to keep your child safe and well during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
13Sep2022

Is Your Child Under The Weather? Signs Your Child Has Caught The Flu

Flu season is coming up fast, and your child may catch the virus even if they are vaccinated. It is important to pay attention to the signs and symptoms to ensure your child visits the pediatrician as needed. Now, you may be wondering if your child has caught a cold, the flu, or another virus. To help you determine your next step, here are several signs your child has caught the flu.

Lack of Appetite

A child suffering from the flu may not have much of an appetite, or they may not have an appetite at all. Your child may also experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, which does not help with their appetite. Both could be a sign of the flu or stomach flu, so you want to have your child examined by a pediatrician to get an accurate diagnosis.

Respiratory Ailments

Your child may also show signs of respiratory ailments with the flu, such as a cough, runny nose, and sore throat. However, these are also symptoms of a cold and Covid-19, so you need to watch for other signs of the flu. If you are still unsure, their pediatrician can administer a flu test and a Covid-19 test to diagnose your child’s illness.

Body Aches

If your child has the flu, they may complain of body aches. The muscles in their back and legs may feel sore, but these aches are normal with the flu. In addition, your child may also experience a headache. Some children even have stomach aches with the flu, which also causes their loss of appetite. Unfortunately, a child with the flu is usually miserable.

Fatigue

You may notice your child is more tired than usual when they have the flu, especially if they are usually active and playful. The best thing you can do is allow your child to get the rest they need. They need to recharge their body and save their energy for fighting off the flu. In some cases, your child may feel dizzy and need to lie down.

Fever

A child with the flu may also have a fever as high as 103 degrees Fahrenheit to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Their fever may also be accompanied by chills and the above symptoms, such as fatigue and body aches. If you are worried about your child’s body temperature, contact their pediatrician immediately.

It is important to note that symptoms of the flu can come on suddenly. If your child is showing signs of the flu or any other illness, schedule an appointment with Kids 1st Pediatrics. You can schedule an appointment online at kids1stpediatrics.net.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
20Oct2020

Protecting Your Child from Influenza This Year

Protecting your child from influenza is important every year but is even more important this year with the added concerns of COVID-19 still swirling across the United States. Those who are already sick with influenza may find it even more difficult to fend off a COVID-19 infection and could end up with more serious health concerns. Additionally, it is important to decrease as much work for medical teams around the country as possible to free up resources for fighting the novel coronavirus. Here are a few ways that you can protect your child this fall and winter.

First and most importantly, be sure that your child receives an influenza vaccine.

October is an excellent month to get this shot as it should last through the rest of the influenza season. However, even if your child does not get the shot this month, your doctor will still be able to give it in later months. According to the CDC, very young children, especially those younger than 5, are at high risk of developing serious complications should they develop influenza. Your child can receive an immunization as long as he is at least six months old.

Second, you can still take numerous steps to prevent an outbreak of influenza in your family even after family members get the influenza vaccine.

Stay away from sick family members and friends, and stay at home yourself if you are feeling under the weather.

Teach your child to cover his coughs and sneezes with a tissue or his arm. Tell him to wash his hands for at least 30 seconds after blowing his nose. Singing Happy Birthday while washing up can be an easy way to measure the correct amount of time.

Although it can be difficult for children to keep their hands away from their faces, it is vitally important for reducing the spread of germs. In particular, encourage them to stop rubbing their eyes.

Finally, be sure to keep frequently touched surfaces in your home clean and disinfected at all times.

This is particularly important if someone in your family is sick, but it should be done regularly even when you all are healthy. Use disinfecting wipes or sprays to clean doorknobs, light switches, countertops, and faucet handles.

If your child still needs an influenza vaccine this season, contact Kids 1st Pediatrics to set up an appointment time.

Kids Staff
Pediatrics
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