Treatment FAQ

what is the best treatment for influenza for kids

by Ryann Barrows Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How to treat the flu at home

  • Consider using a cool-mist humidifier to soothe an irritated or sore throat.
  • Only for children older than 1 year, give a teaspoon of honey prior to brushing their teeth to help with a nighttime...
  • For children who are too young to blow their nose, use a bulb suction to remove mucus.
  • Encourage your child to breathe in moist, warm water vapors...

The flu may be treated with acetaminophen, cough medicine, and antiviral medicine. Your child will also need lots of rest and drinking plenty of fluids. The best way to prevent flu is to have the yearly flu vaccine.

Full Answer

How do you treat flu in children?

Quick Tips for Treating Kids with a Cold or Flu

  • Offer plenty of fluids. Keep your child hydrated to help reduce cold and flu symptoms and make them feel better. ...
  • Clear up stuffed nasal passages. Medicated nasal sprays aren’t recommended for young children. ...
  • Loosen the cough. ...
  • Promote rest. ...
  • Know what to give and when. ...
  • See your child’s doctor. ...
  • Surviving cold and flu season. ...

What is the best medicine for influenza?

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Should children take Tamiflu?

  • Oseltamivir (available as a generic version or under the trade name Tamiflu®) is approved for treatment of flu in children 2 weeks old or older. ...
  • Zanamivir (trade name Relenza®) is approved for treatment of flu in children 7 years and older. ...
  • Peramivir (trade name Rapivab®) is given intravenously and recommended for use in children 2 years and older.

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Does My Baby have the flu?

Whenever you suspect that your baby or toddler has caught the flu, call your doctor right away. And be sure to contact your pediatrician immediately if you notice the following troubling symptoms: If your baby is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, call the doctor immediately.

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How do you get rid of the flu fast for kids?

Fighting Kids' Cold & Flu Symptoms: Fever ReliefAs with colds, let your child get plenty of fluids and rest.Keep the room temperature cool (between 70° and 74° F).Dress your child in lightweight pajamas.Encourage your child to drink extra fluids, popsicles, and gelatin to stay hydrated.More items...•

What is good for kids with the flu?

Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and aches. (Do not give aspirin unless your doctor tells you to. It has been linked to a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome.) You can give over-the-counter cough or cold medicines to children over 6 years old if your doctor says it's OK.

What is the fastest way to cure influenza?

12 Tips for a Speedy Flu RecoveryStay home. Your body needs time and energy to fight off the flu virus, which means that your daily routine should be put on the backburner. ... Hydrate. ... Sleep as much as possible. ... Ease your breathing. ... Eat healthy foods. ... Add moisture to the air. ... Take OTC medications. ... Try elderberry.More items...

Is there flu medicine for kids?

Antiviral Drugs Approved for Use in Children Oseltamivir (available as a generic version or under the trade name Tamiflu®) is approved for treatment of flu in children 2 weeks old or older.

Which medicine is best for flu?

To treat flu, oseltamivir or inhaled zanamivir are usually prescribed for 5 days, or one dose of intravenous peramivir or oral Baloxavir for 1 day. Oseltamivir treatment is given to hospitalized patients, and some patients might be treated for more than 5 days.

How can I treat flu at home?

We'll review 10 natural remedies and explain how to use them, and why they can help.Drink water and fluids. Drinking water and other fluids is even more important when you have the flu. ... Get plenty of rest. ... Drink warm broth. ... Up your zinc intake. ... Rinse with salt water. ... Drink herbal tea. ... Apply essential oils. ... Use a humidifier.More items...•

Does vitamin C help with flu?

In studies in which people took vitamin C only after they got a cold, vitamin C did not improve their symptoms. A note about safety: Vitamin C is generally considered safe; however, high doses can cause digestive disturbances such as diarrhea and nausea. Echinacea has not been proven to help prevent or treat colds.

When should I be concerned about my childs flu?

You should seek immediate medical care in an emergency center if your child exhibits any of these core warning signs: Return of flu-like symptoms with worsened fever, cough. Fast or troubled breathing. Cyanosis, a bluish discoloration of the skin.

Can amoxicillin treat influenza?

Antibiotics Won't Help When you have flu, antibiotics will not help you feel better. Antibiotics won't help you, and their side effects could cause harm. C. diff infection, which causes severe diarrhea that can lead to severe colon damage and death.

Is Tamiflu safe for child?

Safety of Tamiflu for children It was approved in 1999 for use in children ages 2 weeks old and up. Its side effects are typically mild, so it's considered safe for use. However, your child's doctor may not prescribe it in every case of flu, regardless of its safety.

How long does the flu last in kids?

Most healthy people recover from the flu without any serious problems. Fever and muscle aches usually last only 2 to 4 days, but cough and tiredness can continue for 1 to 2 weeks or more.

Antiviral Drugs

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While getting an influenza (flu) vaccine each year is recommended by CDC as the first and most important step in protecting against flu, there also are drugs that can treat flu illness. These “flu antiviral drugs” are an important treatment option for children with suspected or confirmed flu. Antiviral drugs for children come in the f…
See more on cdc.gov

Benefits from Antiviral Treatment of Influenza

  • Flu antiviral drugs can make flu symptoms milder and can shorten duration of illness. Antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within two days of symptoms starting). Early treatment of flu with antiviral drugs also has been shown to reduce the incidence of ear infections and the need for antibiotic treatment in children between 1 and 12 years old. Treatment with anti…
See more on cdc.gov

Antiviral Drugs Approved For Use in Children

  • There are four flu antiviral drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the United States which are recommended by CDC for use in children this flu season: 1. Oseltamivir(available as a generic version or under the trade name Tamiflu®) is approved for treatment of flu in children 2 weeks old or older. Oral oseltamivir ...
See more on cdc.gov

Side Effects of Antiviral Drugs

  • Side effects vary for each medication. The most common side effects for oseltamivir are nausea and vomiting. Zanamivir can cause difficulty breathing in people with underlying lung disease and peramivir can cause diarrhea. Other less common side effects also have been reported. Your health care provider can give you more information about these drugs or you can check the Foo…
See more on cdc.gov

If Your Child Gets Sick with Flu

  • Your child’s health care provider can help decide whether your child should take antiviral drugs if they become sick with flu this season. Flu signs and symptoms include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches. It’s important to note that some children with flu will not have a fever. For more information about influenza antiviral d…
See more on cdc.gov

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