Influenza A

What is the flu?

The flu – also known as influenza – is a respiratory illness caused by a type of influenza virus. It is very contagious, spreading easily from one person to another.

In most cases, the flu has symptoms similar to a cold. However, tiredness, lethargy and high fevers are more prominent, and the illness tends to last longer. The flu can lead to more serious sickness and complications – especially in very young children and those with ongoing medical conditions.

The flu is more common in autumn and winter. Each year, flu viruses change, and so do the types of flu spreading in the community. Occasionally, one of these strains can cause a more widespread or serious outbreak.

Signs and symptoms of the flu

The flu usually starts with a sudden fever and many of the following symptoms:

Sore throat
Runny nose
Dry cough
Headache
Aches and pains
Tiredness and lethargy
Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhoea.

Mild flu

If your child has had the flu before or the flu vaccine, they may have some immunity to flu viruses. This means it will be easier for their body to fight off infection. In most cases, children with some immunity will have a mild flu lasting less than a week.

Moderate to severe flu

Children with moderate flu usually have the same symptoms as mild flu, along with long-lasting high fevers and significant lethargy. These symptoms can last up to seven days.

Sometimes, the flu can lead to complications like pneumonia (lung infection), which can make breathing hard for the child.

In rare cases, the flu may cause inflammation in organs like the heart (myocarditis) or brain (encephalitis) or even multi-organ failure (lung or kidney failure). Children with these conditions need treatment in hospital.

How to care for the flu at home

Most children can safely recover from the flu at home within a week. The best things you can do to help your child are:

ensure they get plenty of rest
encourage them to drink enough fluids
give them paracetamol or ibuprofen for any pain or discomfort. Do not give aspirin to your child.

As the flu is a virus, antibiotics cannot treat it. A doctor may only prescribe antibiotics if your child has another infection caused by bacteria, such as a chest or ear infection.

Sometimes, a doctor may prescribe antiviral medicines to children with chronic medical conditions or severe flu symptoms.

Watch your child for any signs they are getting sicker, such as:

not eating or drinking enough
dehydration, with symptoms like cold hands and feet, sunken eyes, urinating (peeing) less often
trouble breathing
worsening tiredness and lethargy
acting extremely irritable.

See a doctor or health professional if your child’s condition gets worse.

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