How to Manage Influenza in Children: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention Every Parent Should Know

Influenza is a respiratory infectious disease that occurs worldwide every year, especially during the rainy and winter seasons when outbreaks are particularly severe. Interestingly, 20-30% of patients are often school-aged children, who are a key group in spreading the virus to family members because they may not have prior immunity.

How is influenza transmitted?

Influenza spreads through droplets from coughing and sneezing, and by contact with objects contaminated with the mucus or saliva of infected individuals. Transmission can occur from one day before symptoms appear up to one week after symptoms begin. However, children or immunocompromised patients may shed the virus for several weeks.

Check influenza symptoms in young children.

Influenza symptoms vary according to age group as follows.

• Young children often have a high fever along with respiratory symptoms such as cough and runny nose, or may also experience gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea.
• Older children and adults typically have fever, headache, and muscle aches. They may also have cough, runny nose, sore throat, and hoarseness.

Some patients may develop severe symptoms such as pneumonia, characterized by difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, or complications affecting other systems, such as acute encephalitis with seizures, lethargy, or altered consciousness. Some may develop myocarditis, a dangerous condition that can be fatal. Therefore, it is important to monitor symptoms closely, especially in high-risk groups including:

• Children younger than 2 years old.
• Elderly individuals aged over 65 years.
• People with obesity.
• Pregnant women.
• Individuals with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients or those with HIV.
• People with chronic diseases, including heart disease, neurological disorders, chronic liver disease, and chronic kidney disease.

Diagnosis and treatment guidelines for influenza.

Doctors diagnose influenza based on symptoms and confirm it through laboratory tests by examining nasal cavity samples or nasal mucosal swabs to detect the influenza virus.

Treatment for influenza is divided into two parts as follows.

1. Symptomatic treatment includes sponge baths to reduce fever, taking antipyretics, adequate hydration, and medications to relieve symptoms such as decongestants and expectorants for cough.
2. Antiviral medication is most effective when started within 48 hours after symptom onset, helping to reduce disease severity and shorten illness duration.

By nature, most children recover from influenza on their own, usually having a fever for about 2-3 days, with other symptoms gradually improving within a week. However, symptoms that require close attention include:

• Difficulty breathing.
• Shortness of breath.
• Abnormally rapid breathing.
• Bluish lips or fingertips.
• Chest pain.
• Rapid heartbeat.
• Or neurological symptoms such as confusion, slow responses, or unusual lethargy.
• Or seizures, poor appetite, or signs of dehydration. Immediate medical consultation is advised.

Six ways to prevent and care for your child to keep them safe from influenza.

Parents can teach basic hygiene to prevent infection as follows:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching the face: do not touch eyes, nose, or mouth without washing hands first.
• Practice proper coughing and sneezing etiquette: cover mouth and nose, dispose of tissues in a closed bin, then wash hands immediately.
• Separate personal items: do not share dishes, bowls, or utensils with others in the household.
• Clean toys regularly: wash objects that may be contaminated with secretions.
• Stay home from school when sick to rest and prevent spreading the virus to others.

Influenza can be prevented by vaccination, which is effective and suitable for everyone, regardless of age or gender. Vaccination is especially important for high-risk groups and can be administered from six months of age onward.

For children under 9 years old receiving the vaccine for the first time, two doses are required one month apart, followed by annual vaccinations. Elderly people, immunocompromised individuals, and those with chronic diseases should also receive annual influenza vaccines.

Source: Dr. Ploy Pattanakit Sakul, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Medical Department, Ramathibodi Hospital.