Topic: Kids and the Flu: Warning signs when flu turns dangerous
Truthfinder
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8512
posted
I'm not a parent but I ran across some tips in this article and that might be helpful to moms and dads out there this flu season.
If anybody out there has additional info about what to watch for, please post it.
quote:Dr. Kenneth Alexander, the University of Chicago's pediatric infectious disease chief, said there are common signs to indicate when both kinds of flu turn dangerous.
Flu viruses can damage cilia, the hair-like fibers lining the respiratory tract that move bacteria and mucous "where we can cough them out" of the lungs, he explained.
That can make people susceptible to pneumonia and other bacterial infections..... In these cases, flu patients often appear to get better, but then fever and a cough return.
Authorities urge parents to seek immediate help if emergency warning signs develop. In children, these are:
- Fast or troubled breathing.
- Bluish skin color.
- Lack of thirst.
- Failure to wake up easily or interact.
- Irritability so that the child does not want to be held.
- Improvement of symptoms, then a return to fever and worse cough.
- Fever with a rash.
Parents should also seek medical help if flu symptoms develop in children most vulnerable to flu complications: those younger than 5 or with high-risk conditions, including asthma and other lung problems; cerebral palsy, epilepsy and other neurological diseases; heart, kidney or liver problems; and diabetes.
....Mild cases should be treated at home with rest and plenty of fluids, but parents should call their doctor if more serious symptoms develop.
-------------------- Tracy .... Prayers for the Lyme Community - every day at 6 p.m. Pacific Time and 9 p.m. Eastern Time � just take a few moments to say a prayer wherever you are�. Posts: 2966 | From Colorado | Registered: Dec 2005
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posted
Thank you. my daughter has been fevering about 101 degrees .
I am watching her but she is playing and doesnt have a cough.
Besides the fever she seems healthy except for a smaller appetite but not severely ..
She took in enough food just not what she normally eats.
I have a question. Does a flu have to come with the cough.
-------------------- Let us fight with peace. Posts: 90 | From Niles, Ohio | Registered: Aug 2009
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Truthfinder
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8512
posted
You are welcome. I feel for all of you with kids.
Veromia, there is no cough with at least ONE type of `flu' going around. It's more of a `stomach flu' with predominant GI symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting.
I believe this is more of a '48-hour bug' but I'm waiting to see how things go with 2 people I'm in contact with, one of which is clear across the country. I don't think this `bug' is either H1N1 or the seasonal flu, but can't say for sure.
-------------------- Tracy .... Prayers for the Lyme Community - every day at 6 p.m. Pacific Time and 9 p.m. Eastern Time � just take a few moments to say a prayer wherever you are�. Posts: 2966 | From Colorado | Registered: Dec 2005
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Starfall1969
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17353
posted
Thanks for the info.
Posts: 1682 | From Dillsburg, PA | Registered: Sep 2008
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