Flu And Cold In Children - Causes And Treatment Explained

If a child's immune system is weakened for any reason, this child will contract viruses that will cause colds and flus. There are so many strains of these viral infections, there is no permanent treatment that will completely kill these viruses. However, these treatments will surppress the rate of growth. Treating the symptoms can help add in the imporovement of his or her health; but not all children will respond favorable to treatments.

If your child is exposed to another person who is already infected, it increases the risk of your child becoming sick. When your child shows signs of any combination of mild headaches, being excessively tired, congested or runny nose, red and watery eyes, small fevers, sneezing and coughing, achy muscles and sore throats; he or she has contracted the flu and cold virus.

Once your child is exposed, it takes two to five days for him or her to sow symptoms of the virus. Then it takes three to five days for the flu and cold to be at full development. It usually takes about two weeks for the cold or flu to run through the full course and healing begins.

The cold virus affects the upper respiratory system. The flu virus is worse then the cold and grows rapidly. Flu symptoms are combinations of high fever, runny nose, sore throat, congestion, chills, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and eye pain. It is extremely important to be aware of the difference between the flu and cold symptoms.

The flu is more severe than the cold; the cold is easier to overcome, than the flu. the best clue as to what your child may be dealing with , is to recall the instance of exposure and whether it was a cold or the flu. If it is unclear as to what your child is suffering, consult with your family doctor. A swab taken from either the nasal or throat can determine the course of treatment needed for your child.

These viruses are not effected, in any way, by antibiotics. Any antibiotics prescribed, are so given, to ward off any secondary bacterial infections such as ear and sinus infections. Some steps to be taken to assist in the comfort of your child, as best you can, will be assuring he or she takes in plenty of liquids. Another step is to use a cool mist humidifier to help suppress symptoms such as coughing and congestion. There are over-the-counter medications that can assist with congestion, runny nose and cough; but these too need to be handled with extreme care. Read the labels to ensure what you purchase will take care of the problem. If your infant experiences a runny nose, a bulb syringe or nasal drop will be handy to help clean up passages.

It is best to treat any symptoms in the first forty eight hours of onset. If you don't treat the early symptoms of flu, the infection could worsen into pneumonia.

Research shows: Flu is an infection common with school age children and spreads easily. As many as twenty percent of Amercian citizens become infected every year. As high as twenty thousand victims have died from flu alone.

Flu shots are available and can be recommended by your doctor; this will help prevent most strains of flu and cold viruses. Nasal spray can also be prescribed in place of the shot. both procedures will add in strengthening the immune system, by building antibodies to fight the viruses.

Research aso shows more than a hundred viruses are connected to the cause of the common cold. Many more strains of viruses are connected to the flu. Because of this high number of viruses for flu, nasal spray and shots are available. The nasal spray vaccine has been developed from live weakened viruses. Shots, in the same manner, are developed from completely dead viruses. If a child is exposed to contaminating viruses, he or she may be given the same medicine flu patients recieve.

Not everyone can take flu shots or nasal spray. Some people complain of allergic reaction, people suffering Guillain-Barre syndrome, people allergic to eggs, these are just a few catagories of people who can't take preventative measures. Always get advice from your doctor before recieving the flu shots.

Those who are at highest risk of contracting flu are:
*Children up to five years old
*Elderly flok of sixty five and older
*Nursing home residents
*Expecting women
*Patients experiencing health problems on a long term (heart conditions, stroke, ect.)
*Health care workers that come into contacty with flu patients
*Home health aids working with the elderly and young