Influenza (flu) causes, symptoms and treatment

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Influenza is also known as flu is the most common illness in winter. With the onset of winter children generally develop runny nose or blocked nose. Watery eyes. Post nasal drip at the back of the nose, falling in the throat leads to night cough. The eyes may be red. The child develops temperature around 100F or sometimes more. The child is irritable and cranky. There is accompanying cough which may be productive. The voice may become hoarse. Initially stuffy nose maybe followed by a blocked nose, flu maybe caused by any of the influenza virus strains.



Treatment depends on the severity of the condition. Initially any paracetamol syrup accompanied by an anti allergic should be given. Nasal drops are important. According to Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla a Child Specialist in Karachi, steam inhalation should be done twice a day. If needed simple nebulization with normal saline should be done. The symptoms should subside in 3 days or so. However, if the fever increases and the respiratory symptoms increase then there is a need to consult your doctor. There may be superadded bacterial infection which may require antibiotics. Prevention is important. In winter, avoid staying indoors with too many people in closed ill ventilated rooms. In daycare centres or schools, children should be advised to use separate tissues or handkerchiefs to clean their nose. Cover your nose while coughing. Flu vaccination should be done in early october before onset of winter.

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