About 60 million Americans become sick with the flu each year, according to the Nemours Foundation, and most of those cases affect children. The flu is a contagious illness caused by the influenza virus. It is most common from November to March, according to the March of Dimes, and spreads through the air and by direct contact. Learning how to properly care for a child with the flu will ensure a speedier recovery, reduce the risk of flu-related complications and help prevent you and other caregivers from becoming ill.
Step 1
Wash your hands frequently and avoid close contact with your sick child until he is no longer contagious, or about seven days after symptoms begin, according to the March of Dimes. Wash your hands with soap for 15 to 20 seconds under warm, running water, and then rinse well and dry them with a paper towel. Children's Healthcare of Atlanta recommends washing your hands before and after feeding your child, after giving him medication and following any contact with his bodily fluids. Encourage your child to wash his hands frequently.
Step 2
Disinfect all surfaces your child comes into contact with. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the flu virus may live for up to two hours on doorknobs and other surfaces.
Step 3
Give your sick child his own utensils and towels while he is ill. Do not allow him to share food or drinks with other members of your household, and change his bed linens and clothing frequently.
Step 4
Insist that your child and other family members cover their mouths and noses when sneezing and coughing to avoid passing the flu around, and dispose of tissues immediately after using. Do not reuse tissues.
Step 5
Run a humidifier inside your sick child's bedroom to moisten the air. Quickcare states that moist air helps thin and clear mucus and decreases respiratory tract swelling. It may also make it easier for your child to sleep.
Step 6
Treat your child's stuffy nose with saline nose drops, which are available in most pharmacies and retail stores. You can also make saline at home by dissolving 1/4 teaspoon of salt in 4 ounces of water. Place two to three drops inside each nostril every few hours to clear the nasal passages. Use a bulb syringe to suck out nasal mucus in infants and children too young to blow.
Step 7
Increase your child's fluid intake and allow him to get plenty of rest. Too little rest worsens flu symptoms and delays recovery. Make certain you and any other caregivers find time to sleep, as sleep deprivation will make you more prone to catching the flu from your sick child.
Step 8
Treat fever with over-the-counter children's acetaminophen or ibuprofen. The March of Dimes cautions against giving children aspirin due to the risk of developing Reye syndrome, a potentially fatal condition associated with aspirin use during viral illness.
Step 9
Consult your child's doctor if his fever remains over 102 degrees after giving him fever-reducing medication, if dehydration or prolonged vomiting and diarrhea develop or if he experiences an earache, shaking chills, breathing problems, skin rash, severe lethargy, thick green chest or nasal secretions, or an uncontrollable cough. These symptoms may be a sign of infection or another flu-related complication.
Step 10
Keep your child home, out of school and away from other children and crowds, until he is no longer contagious. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a buffer zone of six feet between children sick with the flu and other children and adults.
Tips and Warnings
- Cold and flu symptoms may be very similar in children, but the flu tends to cause a higher fever, lasts longer and is more severe.
- Call a doctor immediately if your child exhibits symptoms of the flu and is under six months of age or has heart disease, asthma, diabetes, HIV or sickle cell disease. The flu may be more serious in children with these conditions.
Things You'll Need
- Bleach or other disinfectant
- Disposable tissues
- Humidifier
- Saline nasal drops
- Bulb syringe
- Over-the-counter fever reducer
