Beware of pediatric influenza in autumn and winter

Beware of Pediatric Influenza in Autumn and Winter

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can affect people of all ages, but children are particularly vulnerable to severe complications.

Pediatric Influenza: A Serious Health Threat

Influenza can cause a wide range of symptoms in children, including:

Fever

Cough

Sore throat

Runny nose

Body aches

Headaches

Fatigue

Nausea

Vomiting

Diarrhea

In severe cases, influenza can lead to complications such as:

Pneumonia

Bronchitis

Ear infections

Sinus infections

Hospitalization

Death

Young children, infants, and children with chronic health conditions are at the highest risk for developing serious complications from influenza.

Transmission and Prevention

Influenza viruses are spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of nearby people, or they can be inhaled into the lungs.

The best way to prevent influenza is to get vaccinated every year. The influenza vaccine is safe and effective, and it can significantly reduce the risk of developing the flu and its complications.

Other preventive measures include:

Washing your hands frequently with soap and water

Covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze

Staying home if you are sick

Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces

When to Seek Medical Attention

If your child has any of the symptoms of influenza, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent serious complications.

Seek immediate medical attention if your child:

Has difficulty breathing

Has a high fever that does not respond to fever-reducing medication

Is lethargic or unresponsive

Has bluish or purple lips or fingertips

Treatment

There is no cure for influenza, but antiviral medications can be used to treat the symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. Antiviral medications are most effective when started within the first 48 hours of symptoms.

Other treatments for influenza include:

Rest

Fluids

Over-the-counter fever-reducing medications

Cough suppressants

Protecting Your Child from Influenza

The best way to protect your child from influenza is to get them vaccinated every year. Other preventive measures include:

Teaching your child to wash their hands frequently

Covering their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze

Staying home from school or daycare if they are sick

Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces

By taking these precautions, you can help to reduce your child's risk of developing influenza and its complications.

Influenza Surveillance:

Influenza activity in the United States is monitored through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s Influenza Surveillance Network. The network collects data on influenza-like illness, hospitalizations, and deaths from a variety of sources, including hospitals, clinics, and laboratories.

Influenza activity typically begins to increase in the fall and peaks in the winter months. In most years, the peak of influenza activity occurs between December and February.

During the 2020-2021 influenza season, influenza activity was low in the United States. This was likely due to the widespread use of face masks, social distancing, and other measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

However, it is important to note that influenza activity can vary from year to year. It is possible that influenza activity will be higher during the 2021-2022 influenza season, especially as social distancing measures are relaxed and more people return to their normal activities.

Vaccination:

The influenza vaccine is the best way to prevent influenza and its complications. The vaccine is safe and effective, and it can significantly reduce the risk of developing the flu and its complications.

The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated against influenza every year. The vaccine is especially important for people who are at high risk for developing serious complications from influenza, such as young children, infants, and people with chronic health conditions.

The influenza vaccine is available in a variety of forms, including:

Injections

Nasal sprays

Intradermal injections

The type of influenza vaccine that is right for you will depend on your age, health condition, and preferences.

It is important to get vaccinated against influenza every year, even if you got vaccinated the previous year. This is because the influenza virus changes from year to year, and the vaccine is updated each year to protect against the most common strains of influenza.

Treatment:

There is no cure for influenza, but antiviral medications can be used to treat the symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. Antiviral medications are most effective when started within the first 48 hours of symptoms.

Antiviral medications for influenza include:

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)

Zanamivir (Relenza)

Peramivir (Rapivab)

Baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza)

Antiviral medications are not recommended for everyone who gets influenza. They are most beneficial for people who are at high risk for developing serious complications from influenza, such as young children, infants, and people with chronic health conditions.

Antiviral medications can be taken for 5 days. They can be prescribed by a doctor or purchased over-the-counter.

Other Treatment Options:

In addition to antiviral medications, there are a number of other things that can be done to treat the symptoms of influenza. These include:

Getting plenty of rest

Drinking plenty of fluids

Using over-the-counter fever-reducing medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen

Using cough suppressants

Using decongestants

It is important to stay home from school or work if you have influenza. This will help to prevent the spread of the virus to others.

Complications:

Influenza can lead to a number of complications, including:

Pneumonia

Bronchitis

Ear infections

Sinus infections

Hospitalization

Death

Complications from influenza are more common in young children, infants, and people with chronic health conditions.

Prevention:

The best way to prevent influenza is to get vaccinated every year. Other preventive measures include:

Washing your hands frequently with soap and water

Covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze

Staying home if you are sick

Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces

By taking these precautions, you can help to reduce your risk of developing influenza and its complications.

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