Treatments for flu and when to see a health provider<\/p>\n
Doctors and nurses at St. Christopher\u2019s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia are seeing more young kids, including infants and toddlers, come into their emergency room and clinics with fever, breathing issues and dehydration.\n<\/p>\n
That includes children who already struggle with asthma<\/a> and are experiencing complications due to respiratory infections, said pediatrician Dr. Rita Guevara, who sees patients in outpatient clinics.\n<\/p>\n \u201cWe have been seeing younger children with breathing issues to the point where they need to escalate care to the ER,\u201d she said.\n<\/p>\n Families can often manage flu infections at home with over-the-counter fever reducers, rest and plenty of hydration, including both water and other liquids<\/a> like electrolyte sports drinks.\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay if kids don\u2019t want to eat when they\u2019re sick, but they absolutely have to keep up on their fluid intake,\u201d Guevara said.\n<\/p>\n Children should be drinking enough to still need regular bathroom breaks and infants and toddlers should still make about two to three wet diapers within a 24-hour window, she said.\n<\/p>\n When flu is the suspected culprit, as opposed to another virus or bacteria, Guevara said antiviral medications can be very effective in reducing the severity and longevity of illness when given within 48 hours of symptoms starting.\n<\/p>\n Health experts recommend that parents and children seek professional help if symptoms become severe, including high fevers and signs of dehydration<\/a>. Kids who appear to get better, but then suddenly get worse again, may be experiencing complications, Guevara said.\n<\/p>\n \u201cYou can start with the flu virus and that can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to getting a bacterial infection on top,\u201d she said. \u201cWe do see some children that end up needing antibiotic treatment for bacterial infections when everything started with the flu.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Concerning changes in breathing<\/a> is also another red flag and cause for more care, Guevara said.\n<\/p>\n