While flu is often a mere annoyance for adults, it's a serious problem for children across American. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 20,000 children under the age of five are hospitalized due to flu complications each year. If your child has come down with the flu bug, make her feel comfortable as she deals with her symptoms and watch carefully for signs that you should call your pediatrician.
Step 1
Dress your child in layers of clothing and offer blankets. The fluctuation in body temperature your child experiences during the flu means that he may be cold one moment and hot the next. Increase his comfort level by offering blankets and clothes that can be easily adjust based upon his symptoms unless you're in extreme weather, where your child should always be dressed appropriately.
Step 2
Offer fluids in the form of water, pediatric drinks, milk or broth. As your child's body temperature rises, she begins to sweat, which results in fluid loss. Since a lack of appetite often accompanies the flu, your child is at risk for dehydration. Never force your child to eat food during the flu, but always ensure she is well hydrated to help prevent dehydration.
Step 3
Draw a warm bath for your child. The flu is often accompanied by cold symptoms, such as congestion. The steam from a warm bath helps loosen mucus that hinders your child's breathing, while the warm water can help relieve the aches and pains that are common with the flu. If your child begins shivering in the bath, remove him, as it can raise his body temperature even higher.
Step 4
Allow your child plenty of extra rest. When the flu attacks, the immune system attacks back, accounting for the rise in body temperature. The flue is likely to make your child feel lethargic and tired. Set up a station on her bed or near the television where your child can rest while staying entertained until the flu is gone.
Step 5
Call your child's pediatrician before offering ibuprofen or acetaminophen to lower your child's fever. Your pediatrician can suggest proper dosing or in some cases, advise against their use in younger children. Monitor your child's symptoms and contact the doctor's office if your child doesn't get better in three or four days, is unresponsive or lethargic, or has no tears when crying, which is a sign of dehydration.
Things You'll Need
- Clothing
- Blankets
- Fluids
- Television
- ibuprofen or acetaminophen
