Flu is also known as influenza and it is much severe than the common cold. It is usually hard to differentiate between a common cold and flu, but it can be diagnosed as either of the two if the symptoms are thoroughly and closely observed. Generally speaking, cold sweeps in slowly, whereas flu will affect your child suddenly and with extreme severity. Your child will feel worse in two to three days after the virus has affected him or her.
The main cause of flu is seasonal changes, including the yearly epidemics which comes and goes with seasons. Flu is highly contagious, and children can pass this on from one person to another easily. In schools and play areas, your child can inhale the droplets that are being coughed and remain airborne, allowing the flu to be easily contracted.
Children can transmit the infection one to two days before their symptoms start to show. Five to seven days after they’ve been affected, they still can easily pass flu on to other kids.
When to seek expert advise
It is usually easy to treat flu. However, for preventive measures you can consult the medical specialists working with the Children’s Hospital Service Line at The Aga Khan University Hospital to get flu shots for your child, if he or she is above six months of age.
If your child’s age is two years and above, a nasal influenza shot will be injected.
These shots should be given before the seasonal outbreak of influenza virus.
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Disclaimer
The information provided on our website is for educational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek the advice of your doctor or other healthcare professional provider.
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