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So, like any decision you make with your little squishy, weigh the pros and cons. There’s a method to this remedy and it’s really important that you get it right. Flushing your infant’s nose relieves some of her discomfort and can keep the mucus from building up.
Medicated nasal sprays aren’t recommended for young children. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to clear up a stuffy nose without medication. If your baby is 3-month-old, do not treat them at home. A caregiver can’t lower your temperature or cure a sore throat, but “having someone to tuck you into bed and bring you fluids is very comforting,” says Blackwelder. If a friend or family member offers to help, even if it’s only to stop by and check in on you, count your blessings -- and take them up on it.
What parents should know about the flu
Your healthcare provider can prescribe medications that may help treat your child's flu. “Oseltamivir works against the flu virus and is safe to give to toddlers,” Dr. Boyer says. As the CDC points out, Tamiflu has proven effective in preventing respiratory failure and death in children. If you have emergency warning signs of flu sickness, you should go to the emergency room. If you get sick with flu symptoms and are at higher risk of flu complications or you are concerned about your illness, call your health care provider for advice.
Children 4-11 can take DXM, but use caution and follow the directions carefully. Do not use a household spoon to measure the medicationonly use the measuring spoon or cup that came with the medication. Get him to drink up.Water, juice, yogurt, electrolyte solutions, and chicken soup are all fine choices to keep him hydrated. Warm liquids may even help to unclog a stuffy nose. This article was co-authored by Laura Marusinec, MD. Dr. Marusinec is a board certified Pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, where she is on the Clinical Practice Council.
Related to Cold, Flu, & Cough
Both illnesses tend to peak around the same time of year , and with kids returning to in-person schooling, their exposure to cold and flu germs will once again be increasing. By the way, if you love essential oils and are looking for some more natural cold and flu home remedies, you might love the post below. A cold air is safer for mobile babies and less like to raise the room’s temperature. Trust me, this is the best investment you will ever make.
Children with underlying chronic medical conditions are at increased risk for developing complications from the flu. But any child – even those who are otherwise healthy – can develop severe, life-threatening complications. Children younger than 2 years old are at highest risk for complications, and infants younger than 6 months have the highest hospitalization and death rates from flu. Keeping your kids healthy during cold and flu season.
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If your child develops a possible complication of the flu, then call your doctor. Influenza occurs every year in the fall and winter months. During this time, if flu symptoms occur, your child probably has the flu. Water alone may not be enough to rehydrate kids safely, especially younger children.
You pour salt water into one nostril and let it run out the other, clearing out your nasal passages. You can buy pre-made saline solution or make it by mixing salt and lukewarm sterile or distilled water. Prescription antiviral drugs may ease symptoms of the flu when taken shortly after you get sick. In many cases, however, simple home remedies may be all you need for relief of mild to moderate flu symptoms. Remember How Flu SpreadsFlu viruses are thought to spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk.
The flu can leave you dehydrated, especially if have vomiting or diarrhea. So are fruit juices and electrolyte beverages. You may want to stay away from caffeinated drinks, because caffeine is a diuretic.
Do not give these medicines to children under 6 years old because they can cause bad reactions. Taking steps to prevent the flu in children is critical. But it’s even more critical in babies 6 months and younger who cannot receive a flu vaccination. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics , antivirals work best if started within the first one to two days of showing signs and symptoms of the flu. Call the pediatrician within 24 hours of symptoms if your infant is younger than 6 months old. Get your child the vaccine early in the season.
In addition, if your toddler has a fever for more than two days, you should call a healthcare provider, says Dr. McDonagh. The same is true if they aren’t tolerating fluids well or develop ear pain. That’s why the first line of defense is for infants and children over 6 months to get a flu shot each year.
You may know that cold and flu season is around the corner, but that doesn’t make it easier when you see your little one struggling with a cough and a stuffy nose. Children under the age of 5, and particularly under age 2, are at an especially high risk during cold and flu season. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking or giving these drugs. The CDC recommends that everyone over 6 months get the flu shot. Ideally, you should get vaccinated as soon as possible, or at least by Halloween, but you can receive the shot throughout flu season.
Remember that you should never give aspirin to a child who is 18 years old or younger. Aspirin can cause a rare disorder known as Reye’s syndrome in children. MedTerms medical dictionary is the medical terminology for MedicineNet.com. Our doctors define difficult medical language in easy-to-understand explanations of over 19,000 medical terms. MedTerms online medical dictionary provides quick access to hard-to-spell and often misspelled medical definitions through an extensive alphabetical listing.
For children of any age, if the fever is 100.4°F (38°C) or greater for more than 72 hours, call your physician. Children over the age of two may be able to use a nasal spray vaccine; however, it is unclear whether or not the spray is effective. Discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist first and see what they recommend. And sometimes, even without underlying conditions, the flu can simply take a nasty turn.
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