Flu Symptoms in Children

Flu is an acute viral infection. It is a highly contagious infection. It affects the airway tract in the nose and throat which can at times spread down into the lungs. It is caused by any of three types of viruses (A, B, or C).

It affects people of all ages but children are at greater risk for developing flu and the complications of flu. The flu virus is multiplied in the small droplets of saliva which are coughed or sneezed into the air by an infected person. If the person inhales these droplets, the person may get infected. Flu can further spread when someone with the virus touches common surfaces such as door handles with unwashed hands. Children are more likely to spread the infection to others.

Flu symptoms may commence two to three days after the exposure to the flu virus. The flu virus comes on rapidly and attacks the upper respiratory system.

• Typical flu symptoms are high grade fever, chills, pain in the muscles, sore throat, head pain, dry cough, exhaustion, etc. These flu symptoms generally last for three to four days, but cough and weakness may continue for one to two weeks even after the fever has subsided.


• In younger children, apart from the typical flu symptoms, they may experience other respiratory tract infections like bronchitis, croup, or pneumonia. Few other symptoms which are commonly observed in children are pain in abdomen, vomiting, and diarrhea. Vomiting is more significant as compared to diarrhea. Fever is generally high and irritability may be marked.


• In infants, the signs and symptoms of flu are not marked and hence it may often go unrecognized. Influenza is less common in infants who are younger than 6 months, but in case the infant experiences the flu then the flu symptoms are weakness, poor eating, and poor circulation.

There are few complications of flu that occur in children. They are sinus infection, infection of the ear, or pneumonia.

In case you observe the above flu symptoms in your children, to confirm the diagnosis of flu, the diagnostic test for flu which is known as direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) should be performed. Secretions from the back of the nasopharynx, or the space at the back of the nose are to be obtained for this diagnostic test.

In cases where the diagnosis that your child suffers with flu occurs, you must ensure that the child consumes excessive amount of liquids and gets adequate rest. Aspirin should never be given to teenagers who suffer with flu-like symptoms, especially fever, without the advice of a physician. Administrating aspirin to children and teenagers with flu can lead to a rare but grave illness known as Reye syndrome. To relieve the flu symptoms children can be administered medicines which do not contain aspirin, as recommended by the physician. In cases where the flu symptoms of your child improves but then the child relapses back with fever and a worse cough, you need to consult your physician.