It can be really hard to be a parent during the winter season! With all of the different illnesses that could potentially infect your child, it can keep you awake at night with worry. Included in the long list of infections at this time of year is influenza, or the flu.

While the majority of flu infections stay mild to moderate and don’t require medical attention, it is crucial to keep an eye on your child to notice if his or her infection worsens. Check out our AFC Urgent Care South Charlotte team’s latest blog all about influenza in children below.

How Did My Child Get the Flu?

Influenza is everywhere right now, so he or she could have gotten it from school, the bus, the grocery store or even from you if you brought it home from work. If your child has not gotten the flu shot or his or her immune system couldn’t overcome the infection, you can expect symptoms of illness to appear within a day or two of the exposure.

Children are included in the list of people in higher risk categories of severe illness for influenza. Since children have much smaller airways and breathing passages, inflammation of any sort can overwhelm their bodies and cause breathing problems or other respiratory troubles. This is why it is important to keep an eye on them and seek medical support if you notice respiratory distress.

Childhood Flu Symptoms

• Fever that appears suddenly
• Runny nose/congestion
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Body aches or chills

When Will My Child Feel Better?

It can be hard to say, but many children feel ill for a few days and then start to overcome their infections within about a week. Once your child’s immune system starts eradicating the virus, he or she will probably start to feel much better relatively quickly.

While your child may start to feel better overall after a week, know that more persistent symptoms like a cough can linger for a week or more. If you are ever concerned about any symptoms your child is having, come see us and we can investigate further.

Keep Your Child Flu-Free This Year

• Get his or her annual flu shot.
• Teach proper handwashing.
• Avoid others if they are sick.
• Serve healthy meals and encourage drinking water.
• Make sleep a priority for everyone.

If you wind up feeling ill this season, we are here for you. Come see us at AFC Urgent Care South Charlotte.