When to see a doctor to treat flu in children?

When a child has a virus or bacteria that causes an infection or disease, including when he has the flu, you will definitely want to take medical action immediately. It's just that, sometimes a disease will go away enough with home care. If you want to take your child to a doctor or medical professional, you should pay attention to some of the symptoms your child is experiencing. Even though flu in children is quite common, you still need to be vigilant and careful in overcoming and maintaining children's health.

What are the signs that the flu in children needs to be treated by a doctor?

If you find flu or cold symptoms in your little one who is still a baby, immediately contact the pediatrician as soon as possible. However, for children aged five years and over, take the child to the doctor if the flu doesn't get better or gets worse.

Actually, you shouldn't hesitate to visit a doctor if you find it difficult to treat flu in children. Ask your doctor about the flu symptoms you are experiencing and whether your little one needs the flu vaccine or not.

The doctor will answer all your doubts by considering factors and information about your little one, such as age and medical history.

Some of the symptoms or signs that it's time for you to visit a pediatrician to treat flu in children are:

High or sustained fever with a body temperature above 38 degrees.
Your little one loses appetite / doesn't want to eat
Respiratory problems, such as shortness of breath, shortness of breath, or wheezing
Throws up
Lips look blue
Ongoing pain such as in the ears, dry throat, headache, or stomach.
The cough doesn't go away after 72 hours or three days or causes choking / vomiting
Stiff neck
More fussy than usual

In fact, if you have brought your little one to the doctor but the symptoms still get worse, go back to visit or if necessary go to the emergency room immediately.

What age is a child at risk of developing complications when he has the flu?

Children are susceptible to flu, especially those under two years of age. But don't panic, this doesn't mean complications will occur. It is important and you need to pay attention to the various symptoms of flu in children.

At any age, children who have been diagnosed with other health conditions can be at higher risk of developing complications. Examples such as:

Asthma
Diabetes
Brain disorders
Nervous system disorders

If the child has this health condition, parents should be more sensitive to flu symptoms and do not hesitate to consult or take the child to a specialist.

Does the child really have the flu or the common cold?

The common cold and flu in children are both caused by viruses and the symptoms that occur have similarities, such as:

runny nose
body ache
limp
dry throat
fever
headache

You can tell the difference between the two by seeing how fast and how severe the symptoms are to your little one. Cold symptoms usually come on periodically within a few days, but flu symptoms can occur quickly and the child will immediately look sick.

Although the flu can go away on its own after about a week, children who are at high risk of complications need to be brought to the doctor immediately. The most important thing you need to do as first aid to treat flu in children is to control the symptoms that occur.

If the treatment you have been doing does not make the flu subside or even gets worse, it means it's time for you to get help from a medical professional.