Can flu be treated at home with medicines and adequate rest? Do you need to take precautions? How will you protect your child? Here’s a mom of a 4-year-old answering. #IPromiseToStopFlu
The hardest part of motherhood is to see your child sick and suffering. Since the time my 4-year-old started playschool, bouts of cough, cold, and fevers have been making frequent rounds. While as a mum I try to take care about cleanliness, hygiene, environment, some things are beyond a mom’s control. Schools and playgrounds are breeding grounds for infections. Immune system in kids are underdeveloped and they have a higher chance of contracting infections – specially infections of cold and flu.
What is Flu or Influenza?
Influenza, which is commonly known as flu is a contagious respiratory illness. All children under the age of 5 have an increased risk of catching the flu. If your child is suffering from symptoms of cold with high fever, being very lethargic, having trouble breathing, experiencing rashes along with fever then it could be the flu and not just the common cold. [1]
Can flu be treated at home with medicines and adequate rest?
A general assumption amongst moms is ‘it’s just a cold, will get better in a few days.’ Influenza is caused by a virus and can spread through contact. As a virus, the flu can further give rise to secondary complications like pneumonia, inflammation of heart and brain and other potential dangers.
Can flu be treated at home with medicines and adequate rest? NO. Home remedies, medicines can ease up the symptoms of flu but can’t solve the problem or cure it. The only way to prevent flu is to get vaccinated against it. If the cold is accompanied by any of the symptoms mentioned above, please visit the doctor.
What did I learn from my paediatrician about Influenza?
When I met my child’s doctor during his routine vaccination, I clearly remember her mentioning the annual vaccination. I asked her what those were for. She told me that the strain of flu virus changes over time and medical professionals come out with new vaccines every year. So it is important to get the annual flu vaccination shot.
As a concerned mom, my natural question was “how long does he have to take this shot?”
She replied, “I am 42, I take it every year”
I was pretty stunned with the answer, considering we don’t take the shots every year! So I also asked the doctor if we adults should be taking the annual vaccinations too. And her answer was yes. Adults who spend a lot of time with kids, who have school going kids need to take their vaccinations too, because the infection can pass over to kids sooner. And I promised I am going to do whatever it takes to stop flu in my house. #IPromiseToStopFlu
What are the Home remedies and Precautions you must take to prevent flu?
While vaccination is the only way to prevent influenza, here are a few things you must practice at the home to stop spreading it further.
- Washing hands frequently: Scrub and clean yours and your kid’s hands frequently for at least 20 seconds. Keep hand sanitisers near your sink.
- Call the doctor within 48 hours: If your symptoms persist, call/ visit the doctor within the first 48 hours.
- Get enough rest: Fever is a natural way to fight infections. The body heats up to kill the virus. Get kids enough rest when they are fighting a viral fever.
- Plenty of Fluids: Give kids plenty of fluids to drink, when they have high fever.
- Breathe hot air: Let your child stand in the steamy shower and breathe in hot air, or use a humidifier to open up the blocked nose and thin out the mucous.
- Don’t send them to school: Keeping your kids at home when they have a viral fever or flu is very important. It spreads when they are in contact with other kids.
I remember my dad was very particular about me getting all kinds of vaccines. And I practice the same with my son. To all those who are against vaccines, please think about your child’s health first. Let’s do our bit to keep our kids safe and healthy.
#IPromiseToStopFlu, do you too?
8 comments
Yes I believe vaccination is the most sure shot of way of protecting our children and families.
Agree, home remedies can ease up the symptoms but vaccination is the best way to avoid any complications.
I too agree with you that it is really important to get kids vaccinated as it is really needed for kids!!
Home remedies may not always help. This is something that needs more attention, vaccination is a must that is what I believe. Your article deepened my knowledge on this fatal respiratory illness.
While good hand and cough hygiene is important,Flushot gives best protection.Our doctor helped us with this.
Parents need to know the difference between flu and the common cold. While home remedies do work for later, vaccination is the only way for protection against flu.
No matter how trivial it sounds, getting flu is quite unwanted. Its better to get the right vaccine on time to prevent it.
Influenza obviously needs medical support as it can’t be treated at home quickly. Getting proper vaccines will help to avoid it in future.