PREVENTIVE CARE
Photo of a mother and her sick child

It can be difficult for parents to watch their kids suffer with the sniffling, coughing and other cold-like symptoms that are so common during the winter months. To make matters worse, parents often aren’t sure how to help their child because they don’t know if it is the common cold or the flu.

“Both the cold and the flu are caused by viruses, but the flu can be much more serious, even life-threatening,” says Jeffrey Avner, MD, director of Children’s Emergency Services at The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore and professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. “Kids who have the flu typically have a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including a stuffy or runny nose, coughing, loss of appetite, headache, muscle aches, a fever of 102 degrees or higher, fatigue and nausea.”

IS YOUR CHILD AT RISK?

Kids may feel miserable with the flu, but most healthy kids get better on their own. Young kids and children who have asthma, heart problems, blood disorders and other chronic conditions may be at greater risk for flu-related complications, such as ear infections, dehydration and bacterial pneumonia.

“We don’t prescribe antibiotics for the flu because they aren’t effective against viruses,” Dr. Avner says. “Occasionally, antiviral medications may be used to help shorten the duration and severity of the flu. We can also treat many flu-related complications and help kids feel more comfortable. However, for most cases of the flu, rest, fluids and antipyretics are all that’s needed.”

Doctors recommend taking children who show signs of the flu to the emergency department if they’re at risk for flu complications or have difficulty breathing, aren’t eating or have other serious symptoms.

‘PREVENTION IS THE BEST MEDICINE’

But the best advice, Dr. Avner says, is to take steps before your child gets the flu. “Prevention is the best medicine,” he says. “Kids over the age of 6 months should get a flu shot. And parents should encourage their kids to develop one simple habit—washing their hands frequently—because it’s one of the most effective ways to help prevent the flu.”

When to Take Your Child to the ER

Your child’s doctor can handle most common injuries and illnesses. But you may want to get emergency care for your child if he or she:

  • Has difficulty breathing
  • Is lethargic or has a change in mental status
  • Has a serious injury
  • Has uncontrolled bleeding
  • Has persistent or severe diarrhea or vomiting
  • Is unconscious
  • Has seizures or convulsions
  • Is under 2 months of age and has a fever or is any age and has a fever and looks ill (appearance is a better indicator of health than temperature)
  • Has an unusual rash