Is your little one suffering with flu symptoms? Read on for tips to help you cope and answer the question: What do you do when your kid has the flu?

As I start to write this, my 2 year-old is laying next to me. Skin scorching hot. Hotter than I’ve ever felt him before. He finally fell asleep after tossing, turning, and fussing for a while. For the past few days, he hasn’t been able to sleep without an arm, leg, or head resting on me. He’s just been miserable. And we finally figured out why.

The beginning…

He was sent home from daycare last week with just a slight fever. After being down for about a day, he seemed to perk up. But, then his fevers came back with a vengeance. His temperature was up to 103. His nose was pouring with snot. He was tired, clingy, and just wanted to be held. I don’t usually rush to give my kids medicines. I also don’t rush them in to be seen every time they get sick.

But this time was different.

He just wasn’t himself.

My usually happy, playful, active boy didn’t want to do a thing. We usually can’t get him to sit still for more than 3 minutes at a time. But, he didn’t want to play with his trucks, and didn’t even want to move. All he wanted was to be held while he slept. He was confused, with no idea why he felt so miserable. I look at his eyes and can see that he’s just begging to feel better.

So, I brought him in to be seen at my office. The news was just as I suspected.

Influenza B.

Oh no! My baby has the flu!

(He had his flu shot over a month ago! This can’t be!)

But, unfortunately, I wasn’t surprised by the result. Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen SO MANY kids with the flu. He looked like a lot of the other kids I’ve been seeing in my office. The flu has been spreading so quickly in the schools. It’s wiping out entire classrooms (including the teachers!) for a few days at a time.

Have you or your little one had the flu?

Are you struggling with it now?

Here’s a little background that’ll hopefully help you during this tough time:

What are symptoms of the flu?

The “flu” is caused by the Influenza Virus. And there are tons of strains of it. If your child has the combination of cough, congestion, sore throat, runny nose, fevers, and body aches, he may have the flu. It usually makes you feel much worse than just a regular cold. So much so that I’ve seen the flu really knock even grown men down for a few days (and not just your typical “man cold”).

How long does the flu last?

If your child has the flu, his cold symptoms can last for up to 2 weeks. His fevers can last about 5-7 days.

How do you test for the flu?

A quick swab in your child’s nose can tell you if he has the flu. Many Pediatricians can perform this test in the office and give you the results within a few minutes. But, the test isn’t always 100% accurate. I’ve diagnosed kids with the flu who have the usual symptoms, even with a negative test.

How do you treat the flu?

If your child is healthy, he’s likely to get over the flu with just “comfort care”. Tylenol and Motrin for pain and fevers. Over-the-counter cold medications (if your child is 4 years and older) for the cough and congestion. Plenty of fluids (especially water). Your child likely won’t have much of an appetite, so don’t stress about food. It’s much less important than keeping him hydrated. Rest is probably the most important form of treatment. Your child needs to rest so that his body can fight the virus.

Your Pediatrician may prescribe Tamiflu (an antiviral medicine) for your child. This medicinae can help shorten the amount of days your kid is sick with the flu. That way he’s better faster, and back to school sooner. It’s best if Tamiflu is started within the first 48 hours of your child’s flu symptoms. It’s most effective that way.

What are complications of the flu?

Your child is considered “high risk” if he’s less than 2 years old, has a lung problem (like asthma) or any type of immune system problem. He’s, unfortunately, at a higher risk of getting complications from the flu. This includes things like pneumonia or infections in this blood. These are still possible in otherwise healthy kids, too. So, it’s so important to watch your child closely and have him checked out by your Pediatrician if you’re concerned.

How can you prevent the flu?

I recommend the flu shot for all kids 6 months older – and adults, too! This is by far the best way to prevent the flu. Our family gets our flu shots together every year. It’s kind of a family affair! Yes, my son did get his flu shot this season and he did get the flu. But, he likely has a strain that isn’t covered in the vaccine.

Teach your kids to wash their hands often, and to cover their cough and sneeze. Stay away from anyone who may be sick, and keep them away from your kids – especially your little ones! Keep surfaces clean to prevent the flu from spreading. If they’re sick, it’s best to keep them away from others. Your child should stay out of school and daycare for at least 24 hours after his last fever.

What do you do when your kid has the flu?

For my son, we’ve been pushing lots of fluids, and letting him sleep, sleep, and sleep some more. When his temperature goes down, he has some active moments. For the most part, we’ve just tried to keep him comfortable so he could get through it. This kid has been catered to by every single person in the house.

After a few days of fevers with round-the-clock Motrin (and one dose of Tamiflu), he’s finally on the mend. He’s eating better, sleeping better, and back to terrorizing playing with his siblings. My husband and I missed a few days of work. My son’s tagged along with me to work and missed out on preschool. But he was able to rest up well while his body fought hard.

Let’s just hope we can prevent the flu from spreading through the house!

So far so good!

If you’ve had to deal with the flu in your home, I’d love to hear your suggestions on, “what do you do when your kid has the flu?” Please leave them in the comments below! If you or your little one are dealing with the flu now, I pray that it passes quickly! Here’s to a safe and healthy flu season for us all!

Other helpful resources related to what to do when your kid has the flu:

• Stomach Virus – From A Mommy Doc Perspective
• Strep Throat – From a Mommy Doc Perspective
• Why Does My Kid Keep Getting Sick?

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If you’re looking for Natural Remedies for your kids – simple ways to help your kids through common Pediatric illnesses, be sure to check out my 170+ page digital library. It’s filled with tips on caring for your kids. Along with step-by-step instructions and  the tools you need to create effective routines, manage your time, prepare meals,  clean your home – and so much more!