Help Those You Love Avoid The Flu
Here Is Some Important Flu
Prevention and Treatment Information!
 

Flu season in the United States is in full swing.  However, the month of February is often times the worst month for the flu.  As many of us know, having a sick child can be a very stressful time and requires extra patience and lots of extra hugs, kisses and TLC! 

The best way to help yourself and your child through difficult, unhealthy times is to be informed.  Below are some important answers from some of the finest and most respected professionals in the field at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta:

How can you help prevent the flu?
There are simple actions that you can take to help reduce your child’s exposure to flu viruses and the risk of developing the flu:

• Wash your hands often, especially after you have been out in public or touched things that other people have touched, like a grocery cart, a gas pump or even a doorknob. Your child should wash his hands after sharing toys or books with friends.
• To prevent spreading the flu, turn your head when you cough and sneeze into disposable tissues.
• Do not expose infants to large crowds during the flu season.
• Avoid close contact with family members who have the flu.
  

What is the treatment for the flu?
There are four important things to remember when treating a child with the flu:

1. Rest – Your child should get plenty of rest, but he should ‘perk up’ at least briefly every four hours.  If he does not have brief periods of feeling better, call your doctor.
2. Fluids – The best fluids are clear liquids, including water, clear juices and sports drinks.  If your child rejects most solid foods for a day or two that’s okay, as long as he continues to drink well and urinatenormally.  If your child does want to eat, feed him .  Bland foods in small amounts.
3. Fever Control 
   • Treat the fever using an acetaminophen or ibuprofen product such as Tylenol® or Advil®.  Never use any product containing aspirin or stomach-coating liquids with salicylates.  Check the product’s label carefully for these substances.
   • One final key to controlling your child’s fever is how he is dressed or how he is covered when in bed.  Bundling him up will make it harder for the medicine to lower his temperature.  Dress or cover your child as you normally would for the temperature of the room he is in.
4. Close Observation for Signs of Complications
   • These signs include very frequent cough, rash and vomiting.

The best way to help yourself and your child through difficult, unhealthy times is to be informed.  For complete information available on how to prevent your child from getting sick and how to treat the flu if they do get sick,  from some of the finest and most respected professionals in the field at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta click here.

And of course, if you suspect your child may have the flu please contact your pediatrician or family doctor immediately!

To view more articles 
 published by Coleen Lou click here.