What if a child has the flu? Signs, treatment and prevention of the disease

Influenza in children is not uncommon; it is one of the most common seasonal illnesses. Babies get the flu 5 times more often than adults, and for them this disease is much more dangerous due to the high risk of complications. Influenza should not be left to chance, treated only with folk remedies and, moreover, wait for the disease to "pass by itself." Every parent should know what are the symptoms of flu in children, which doctors to see and what preventive measures to take.

Influenza Causes in Children

As widespread as the myth of the common cold is, the first thing to clarify is that you don't get the flu from walking without a hat and wet feet. Hypothermia as such does not provoke the disease, but it increases the chances of infection: cold causes spasm of small vessels and does not have the best effect on the functioning of the immune system.

Influenza is a viral disease in which the influenza virus spreads rapidly and is highly virulent (variable). The flu virus mutates almost every year, and it is almost impossible to develop a stable immunity to it - even if you have already had the flu this season, nothing prevents you from catching it again if you come across a different strain of this virus. This is why influenza vaccination has to be done every year.

Influenza epidemics occur every year during the autumn and winter period, and pandemics that affect the whole world occur every 15–20 years.

Getting the flu is easy. Most often, it is transmitted from person to person by airborne droplets - enough for someone to sneeze next to your child. But this virus can also be transmitted by everyday means (dirty hands, etc.). The virus itself is unstable, and it is easy to destroy it with any household antiseptic or detergent, but such hygiene standards are maintained only at home. And the children themselves, who have not fully learned the importance of hygiene, often wash their hands irregularly, like to exchange toys, drink from one glass, etc., which only increases the risk of getting sick.

Symptoms of the disease

In the first 2-3 days after infection, the child feels well, there are no signs of illness. But as the virus spreads in the body, the condition worsens sharply. Usually, the onset of influenza in children is acute, it begins with a sudden rise in temperature to 39 o C and even 40 o C (this is especially typical for children under 5 years old). Chills appear, muscle pain and joint aches, headache, dry cough, runny nose, sore throat may also be present. Due to intoxication, appetite decreases, vomiting may begin. The toxins released by the virus destroy capillaries, leading to nosebleeds or rashes. Sometimes toxic damage affects the central nervous system, leading to delirium, seizures, hallucinations.

Influenza treatment in children

Doctors distinguish several forms of typical flu in children:

• Mild form - temperature not higher than 37.5 o С, slight cough, irritation of the throat mucosa.
• Moderate form - headache, pain in muscles and joints, weakness, chills, nausea and vomiting, temperature up to 39.5 o C, cough, shortness of breath.
• Severe form - temperature up to 40.5 o C, confusion, delirium and hallucinations.
• Hypertoxic form - extremely rapid development and course, temperature up to 40.5 o C, nosebleeds, rash, delirium and loss of consciousness, convulsions.

In mild to moderate forms, the child's condition improves after about 3-4 days, but cough and sore throat may persist for another 10-15 days. The forecast is almost always favorable. The severe form is more dangerous, it is fraught with complications. Even more dangerous is the hypertoxic form, which is often fatal.

Treatment for influenza in children depends on the severity of the symptoms and the form of the disease.

Mild to moderate forms usually do not require hospitalization. The main treatment is to ensure the correct regimen. The child should lie in bed in a warm but well ventilated area. The diet these days should be light. A child with the flu loses appetite and should not be force-fed. It is better if the patient eats a couple of tablespoons of soup on a voluntary basis than a full three-course dinner on compulsion. All the same, the matter will end with vomiting, additional stress and irritation of the already inflamed mucous membranes of the larynx.

The flu diet should be light and rich in protein, while the food itself should be warm (but not hot) and have a delicate texture. Soups, soufflés, mashed potatoes are the most optimal menu if a child gets sick with the flu.

For viral diseases, drinking plenty of fluids is very important. It, like food, should not be hot. Hot tea or a decoction will burn already inflamed mucous membranes and make it difficult for them to recover. It is better to give your child warm herbal teas, natural juices (not sour), fruit drinks, compotes, water.

Flu drugs for children

Treatment of influenza in children must necessarily include antiviral drugs - this is the basis of therapy. Today, oseltamivir (Tamiflu, from 2 weeks of age) and zanamivir (Relenza, for children over 7 years of age), Cycloferon, Ingavirin are used for this. The doctor should prescribe these drugs, since, being antiviral, they do not help against bacterial infections, and it is almost impossible to independently distinguish a viral lesion from a bacterial one; this requires laboratory tests. In addition, these funds have contraindications and side effects.

Symptomatic treatment is of great importance. If the temperature is high, it is better to bring it down to prevent hyperthermia. Shown are cool compresses on the forehead and rubbing the skin with a weak solution of alcohol, as well as - if the temperature is above 38.5 ° C - taking antipyretics, for example, ibuprofen.

To facilitate breathing with rhinitis, rinses with purified sea water are shown, for example, "Aqua Maris", "Aqualor", as well as vasoconstrictor drops and sprays - "Nazol Baby", "Otrivin Baby" and other products specially designed for children (concentration of the active substance they are lower than in similar drops and sprays for adults).

There are two types of cough medicine - some suppress the corresponding reflex, stopping a dry, unproductive cough, while others thin phlegm and promote its secretion, making a wet cough easier. The use of an inappropriate agent can cause very serious complications: a mistake in choosing a medicine on your own can be expensive, so a doctor must diagnose and prescribe any drugs.

What is the risk of improper treatment or lack of it?

Influenza is primarily dangerous for its complications, including:

• pneumonia, including its most dangerous type - viral hemorrhagic pneumonia, which develops rapidly and often leads to death;
• meningitis and encephalitis;
• muscle disorders such as myositis, which is characterized by severe muscle pain;
• otitis;
• rhinitis;
• sinusitis;
• bronchitis.

Flu Prevention in Children: How to Protect Your Child?

It is impossible to absolutely exclude contact with the virus. Therefore, preventive measures should be aimed not so much at isolating the baby as at reducing this probability and strengthening the child's immune system.

To strengthen the body's defenses will help:

• a diet with a minimum of fast food and products that have undergone deep industrial processing;
• according to the doctor's indications - additional intake of vitamin and mineral complexes;
• daily walks and outdoor play.

During an epidemic, additional protective measures:

• frequent airing of rooms to reduce the concentration of the virus in the air;
• regular hand washing and not only before meals - often the virus enters the body in this way;
• regular wet cleaning with antiseptic detergents.

Timely vaccination is especially important for the prevention of influenza, which is carried out annually in the fall, before the start of the epidemic season.

Why is it so important to go to a reliable children's clinic

“A prompt visit to a doctor is a guarantee of timely prescribed treatment and a favorable prognosis,” says Lyudmila Anatolyevna Melnichenko, chief physician of the Markushka children's polyclinic. time and risk of getting some other infection in addition to the flu. Experienced doctors work in state polyclinics, but such a flow of patients sometimes does not allow them to pay enough attention to everyone, because 20 more patients are waiting outside the door. Private children's polyclinics in this sense are much more convenient - you can see a doctor at a convenient time for you or call a specialist at home. There are no queues here, and each specialist will devote as much time to your child as needed. The doctors who work at the Markushka polyclinic are highly professional specialists whose specialization covers more than 15 different fields of medicine. Examinations and analyzes are carried out on modern precision equipment, this allows you to quickly diagnose and choose the right treatment regimen. Of course, we hope your little one does not need treatment, because prevention is always preferable to therapy. In our clinic, you can get vaccinated against influenza - we work only with safe and reliable imported vaccines.

P.S. is a multidisciplinary children's polyclinic, whose specialists carry out treatment and medical supervision of a child from birth to 18 years old.

Children often get colds, but the flu in a child due to the complications associated with it makes parents worry in the first place. How can you help your baby to survive this difficult period? How to treat a child's flu and what can you do at home? These and other questions concern many of us.

Influenza refers to acute infectious diseases of a viral nature and is transmitted mainly by airborne droplets during a conversation, sneezing, coughing with particles of saliva, phlegm, etc. On average, a person is contagious within 5-7 days from the onset of the disease, with a maximum in the first three days.

What does the flu virus do in the body

The influenza virus attaches to the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, penetrates into its cells, destroys them and enters the bloodstream.

In order for the virus to penetrate inside, it needs to attach to the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, in particular - the nasal passages. Approximately 2 hours after it hits the surface of the mucous membrane, the virus begins to penetrate into the epithelial cells. Then it multiplies there, destroys cells and enters the bloodstream.

Being in the blood, the influenza virus infects blood vessels, membranes of the brain, internal organs. At this stage, serious complications can develop, including edema of the brain, lungs, meningitis, various bleeding and disseminated intravascular coagulation.

In the end, the immune system copes with the situation and destroys the viral particles of the flu. The stage of calming inflammatory processes and recovery begins.

Influenza Signs in Children

As a rule, children begin to get sick with the flu after the first 3-4 months of life, because until that time they are "protected" by maternal antibodies. Breastfed babies get sick less often and in a milder form than "artificial" ones.

With a mild flu course, the child may complain of a moderate headache, be capricious, and refuse to eat. The temperature rises to 38.5 ° C in the first 2 days and then begins to decline. After a while, nasal congestion, a slight dry cough join.

The average severity of influenza is characterized by a more pronounced picture of the disease: muscle pain, dizziness may appear, the baby begins to complain not only of a headache, but also soreness of the eyeballs. The temperature rises to 39.5 ° C, lethargy, drowsiness, and decreased appetite are noted. Subsequently, there is a slight runny nose, dry intense cough, to which pain in the chest can join.

In severe flu, the temperature is very high (40 ° C and above), significant lethargy and general malaise of the child. It is with a severe course that various complications of influenza appear, ranging from bronchitis and ending with cerebral edema, meningitis, and the development of cardiopulmonary failure. Therefore, at the slightest sign of deterioration, it is urgent to show the baby to the doctor (even with an initially mild form of flu).

If we characterize the course of influenza in children in a few words, then first there is a high fever, lethargy, general malaise, and a runny nose, reddened throat and coughing appear later.

How to treat flu in children at home

With a significant increase in body temperature, the child should be given an antipyretic drug.

Self-medication for influenza should not be dealt with, especially in children under the age of 3 years. It is imperative to show the child to the doctor and follow all his recommendations. However, there are many ways that you can make a significant difference in your baby's treatment and recovery.

1. Bed rest.It is advisable that the child lay as much as possible for the first 2-3 days (this helps to avoid many complications from the brain, kidneys and other internal organs).
2. Diet. If the baby refuses to eat, it is enough to give him vegetables, fruits and egg-milk food. Drinking plenty of fluids helps to better endure the disease and quickly cope with intoxication. The child can be given water, fruit juices, rosehip infusion, tea, compotes. It is advisable to exclude sweets containing refined sugar, since in large quantities it can reduce immunity.
3. Fighting fever. With an increase of more than 38.5 ° C, it is obligatory to take an antipyretic agent prescribed by a doctor. During the chill period, you should wrap the baby up, let him warm up. When the latter is replaced by a feeling of heat, the skin becomes pink, the limbs warm, then you can use vinegar rubdowns, wet cool wraps. Be sure to find out how to properly carry out these procedures before that.

Influenza in children (Grippus) is an acute viral disease characterized by extremely high infectiousness, symptoms of specific intoxication and inflammation of the respiratory tract.

The name of the disease comes from the French word gripper. For a long time, the disease was called influenza (from the Latin word for "invade"). The disease was first described by Hippocrates, the main symptoms: fever, weakness, persistent cough, inflammation of the throat and eyes.

Influenza viruses are unstable to the effects of chemical and physical factors, they are destroyed at room temperature within a few hours, while at low temperatures (from -25 ° C to -70 ° C) they persist for several years; quickly die when heated, dried, as well as when exposed to low concentrations of chlorine, ozone, ultraviolet radiation.

Features of the spread of influenza in children

The maximum infectiousness is observed in the first days of the disease, when the virus is released into the external environment when coughing and sneezing with droplets of mucus. Virus isolation in a complicated course ends by 5-6 days from the onset of the disease. At the same time, with pneumonia, which complicates the course of influenza, the virus appears in the body up to 2-3 weeks from the onset of the disease. Seasonal flu affects all groups of people, has a certain seasonality, the maximum incidence occurs in the winter period. After the transferred disease, a persistent type and strain-specific immunity is formed, repeated diseases are caused by a new serovariant of the influenza virus.

Influenza development in children

Of leading importance is the damaging mucous membranes and the intoxication effect of the influenza virus. The causative agent penetrates into the epithelial cells of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, where it multiplies and causes their damage to dystrophy and necrosis; the auto-antigens formed thereby trigger local autoimmune cytotoxic reactions aimed at limiting the lesions and eliminating altered cells and viral antigens.

Morphologically, it is not manifested by local inflammation, but clinically - by catarrh of the upper respiratory tract. From the place of primary localization, the influenza virus and the decay products of the surface epithelium enter the bloodstream, causing an intoxicating effect. From this time and throughout the course of the disease, the influenza virus in children can be detected in the blood, in free circulation (viremia).

The toxic effect of the virus is directed mainly at the microvasculature, which leads to a slowdown in blood flow, an increase in vascular permeability and tissue edema. As a result of microcirculation disorders, hemodynamic disorders develop in various organs and systems (in the central nervous system - up to encephalopathy, in the lungs - from minor hemorrhages to segmental widespread hemorrhagic edema), which is the leading link in the pathogenesis of severe forms of influenza in children. In severe cases, microcirculatory hemodynamic disturbances lead to edema and swelling of the brain, up to the wedging of the cerebellar tonsils into the foramen magnum and often fatal.

Manifestation of influenza in children

The intoxication effect of the influenza virus suppresses the cellular and humoral functions of the immune system, which, along with the elimination of the protective function of the surface epithelium and the depression of local factors of immune defense, promotes the activation of a bacterial infection that occurs in the respiratory tract; in patients with influenza, a strong microbial focus is often formed in the bronchopulmonary system, is directly involved in the occurrence of severe lesions of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, as well as many other complications - tonsillitis, otitis media, pyelonephritis, sinusitis. In the pathogenesis of influenza, there are processes of allergization by autoimmune antigens, decay products of epithelial cells, bacterial agents; in the presence of preliminary sensitization, influenza encephalitis, polyradiculoneuritis, polyarthritis and many others are possible.

Sometimes, especially in young children, foci of serous inflammation with exudate of a predominantly macrophage nature, specific to the influenza virus, appear in the lungs. In the case of stratification of bacterial flora, viral-bacterial pneumonia may occur.

In the acute period of influenza, two phases of immune reactions develop: nonspecific (the first 3-4 days) with the formation of interferon, tissue inhibitors, ribonuclease, an inflammatory reaction, and specific (up to 4-5 days), when anti-influenza antibodies appear. Vulnerable is the 4th day, when the non-specific defense of the body has already been depleted, and specific antibodies have just begun to form, and their concentration is insufficient to overcome the virus.

Common flu symptoms in children

Influenza symptoms in children depend on the clinical form of the disease. Distinguish between typical and atypical forms of the disease. The latter includes a temperatureless, catarrhal-free, fulminant course of flu. Catarrhal form is quite common - when the child remains practically healthy, but an increase in the titer of antibodies to the influenza virus is observed.

A typical clinical picture is characterized by a combination of two leading syndromes - general intoxication and catarrhal phenomena of the upper respiratory tract. Distinguish between mild, moderate, severe, or toxic and hypertoxic forms of influenza. Severity is determined by the degree of manifestation of general intoxication, temperature reaction, which in most cases corresponds to the severity of the disease.

A mild course of influenza is diagnosed with a slight violation of the general condition, an increase in body temperature up to 38 ° C, and mild symptoms of intoxication. The mild form also includes erased forms of influenza, the course of which passes at normal body temperature and the absence of other symptoms of intoxication, along with mild catarrhal symptoms (stuffy nose, small mucous discharge from the nose, coughing).

With a moderate form, there are all the signs of influenza intoxication: headache, dizziness, muscle and joint pain, croup syndrome, abdominal syndrome are possible. The incubation period ranges from several hours to 1-2 days, sometimes (in 10% of cases) there is a period of precursors in the form of subfebrile condition, muscle pain. In most cases, the disease begins suddenly: chills appear, body temperature rises to 38-39 ° C; chills are quickly replaced by a feeling of heat, general weakness occurs, patients are irritable, complain of insomnia, tinnitus, headache, mainly with localization in the forehead and temples, in the eyeballs, muscles, photophobia.

How to treat severe influenza in children

Before treating severe influenza in children on your own, read the important information. Perhaps after that you will understand the need for a timely visit to a doctor. In severe influenza in children, diffuse respiratory tract damage (rhinitis, tracheitis, laryngitis) is observed. The mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, soft and hard palate is reddened. edematous; with influenza, which caused a type B virus, a granular enanthema occurs - a symptom of Morozkin. For flu, the characteristic signs of tracheitis. There are no changes on the part of the digestive system. If no complications arise during the flu, then after 2-3 days the patient begins to recover: the body temperature drops critically, the cough becomes softer, the headache disappears, and myalgias, malaise and weakness can persist for up to several days, the catarrhal syndrome disappears later.

A hallmark of a severe form is severe intoxication: a sharp violation of the general condition with impaired consciousness, nausea, vomiting, short-term convulsions, an increase in body temperature to 40-40.5 ° C, which lasts 3-5 days. Attention is attracted by facial hyperemia, conjunctivitis, moderate cyanosis of the lips, in the eye area the skin is hot to the touch, the cough is first dry, then wet.

In severe forms of the disease, the process progresses rapidly with the development of various manifestations of infectious toxicosis: meningeal, encephalitic - or a combination of reactions (hyperthermia, neurological symptoms -, dizziness, fainting, delirium, vasomotor disorders with convulsions, loss of consciousness, meningeal symptoms) and hemorrhagic syndrome (rash , more often on the skin of the face, neck, chest and upper extremities, hemorrhages on the mucous membrane of the mouth, palate, back of the pharynx, conjunctiva; nosebleeds, microhematuria, blood impurities in the feces and much more). Disturbances of cardiovascular activity are characteristic. There is damage to the heart muscle and microcirculatory disorders with the development of cardiovascular insufficiency of the cardiac type, vascular spasms or collapse.

The course of hypertoxic influenza is such as hemorrhagic pulmonary edema and severe neuroinfection, which are characterized by meningoencephalitic, hemorrhagic and hyperthermic syndromes, fulminant course and death.

Influenza in newborns under one year old

Influenza in newborns and children under one year old has its own characteristics. The disease often begins gradually, with a slight increase in body temperature, the course of the disease is quite acute. Symptoms of specific flu intoxication are absent or subtle: pallor of the skin, the child refuses to breast, repeated vomiting is often observed, weight loss, catarrhal phenomena (cough, nasal congestion) are poorly expressed. rare, uncharacteristic segmental lung damage, Despite the mild initial clinical manifestations of influenza, the course of the disease at this age is severe due to the frequent addition of a bacterial infection and the occurrence of purulent complications (pneumonia, etc.). The mortality rate is three times higher than in older children.

The course of influenza in children aged 1 to 3 years is especially severe, with intoxication, damage to the central nervous system, the development of meningoencephalitic syndrome. Catarrhal phenomena are poorly expressed. Croup syndrome, focal or segmental pneumonia, purulent otitis media, sinusitis are often observed.

Complications and diagnosis of influenza

Complications of influenza occur at different times from the onset of the disease, more often - especially in young children - acute laryngotracheobronchitis with airway spasms, focal or segmental pneumonia as a result of bacterial flora stratification. Neurological complications can include meningitis, meningoencephalitis and encephalitis, less often neuralgia, neuritis, polyradiculo-neuritis. In the acute period of the disease, myocarditis may occur at the height of toxicosis.

Diagnosis is quite simple during epidemic outbreaks in the presence of typical manifestations of the disease: acute onset, fever, intoxication from the first day, catarrhal manifestations from the 3-4th day of illness, etc.; it is much more difficult to make a diagnosis in the post-epidemic period: then, in addition to typical clinical signs, laboratory diagnostic methods are used.

Differential diagnosis is carried out with other acute viral infections (parainfluenza, adenovirus, respiratory infections) and some infectious diseases (typhoid and typhus, meningococcal infection, psittacosis, infiltrative tuberculosis and bronchoadenitis, and others).

Prevention of influenza in children

Prevention of influenza in children includes early detection and isolation of the patient at home, in an isolation ward or in a hospital. Caregivers should use 4-6 layers of gauze masks. A decrease in the incidence rate can be achieved by conducting seasonal courses of stimulation of nonspecific and immunological reactivity of the body. Prescribe ascorbic acid, laser irradiation of the nasal passages and tonsils (5-7 sessions), interferon inducers (mefenamic acid and other inducers). For emergency prevention of influenza, the same antiviral drugs are used as for medical therapy. Remantadine is given to contact children after 7 years of age in the foci of influenza A, 0.05 g per day for 5 days. Preventive use of this drug is indicated for persons with a high risk of infection (employees of the clinic, transport) during the period of intensive development of the epidemic (up to 15 days), leukocyte interferon, laferon and other interferons are injected into the nasal passages, 5 drops 2-3 times a day. Anti-influenza immunoglobulin, effective doses, instantly, weakened children under 3 years of age, pregnant women in the 1-2 trimester of pregnancy.

In addition, it is recommended to lubricate the nasal passages with 0.25% oxolinic ointment. Seasonal nonspecific prophylaxis is also carried out with an extract of Eleutherococcus, 30-40 drops once a day for 25-30 days, prodigiosan 0.25 ml in each nasal passage twice with an interval of 5 minutes (a course of three injections with an interval of 5-7 days) , other adaptogens, multivitamins, hardening is recommended.

For specific prophylaxis, live and inactivated (having an advantage) vaccines from A and B virus strains are used.

- this is an acute infectious disease, which is provoked by the penetration of influenza viruses of types A, C and B into the cells. The disease is accompanied by damage to the respiratory organs, intoxication of the body and often causes various complications.

According to statistics, every year up to 30% of the world's population is affected by the influenza virus, with 15% of them being children of primary preschool and school age. Children aged 3 to 14 are most susceptible to the flu virus. In the high-risk group, young children, in whom ARVI make up 65% of the total morbidity.

Adults are more resistant to infection than children, as their immune systems function better. Children get sick 4-5 times more often.

The main danger of infection is that it is often complicated by various pathologies and contributes to the exacerbation of existing chronic diseases. In this regard, the issue of prevention and treatment of influenza is acute in pediatric practice.

Flu symptoms in children

Having entered the child's body, the virus may not give itself out in any way for several hours, up to 4 days.

After this time, the flu symptoms in children increase, which, with the typical development of the disease, are expressed in the following:

Acute onset, accompanied by an increase in body temperature up to 40 degrees. In this case, the symptoms of intoxication of the body will prevail over other manifestations of the disease. In infants, a febrile state is often the only sign that the virus has entered the body. From one to five years, in addition to an increase in body temperature, it is possible to add cough and. After the age of five, the fever is complemented by lacrimation, sweating, chills, sore throat, rhinitis and dry cough.

Children of any age refuse to eat, or their appetite deteriorates significantly.

Lethargy grows, the child becomes inactive. Older children may complain of joint and muscle pain. The occurrence of repeated vomiting is possible.

In children, nosebleeds are more common than in adults. Against the background of hemorrhagic syndrome, pitechiae on the skin, hemorrhages on the mucous membranes, and on the eye sclera may appear. This symptom indicates a particular severity of the course of the disease.

At the peak of fever in children under one year old, seizures may develop, and at an older age, impaired consciousness, hallucinations and delirium are possible.

The skin of children is pale, and in infancy, a marble pattern may appear. In this case, the cheeks often turn crimson.

The stronger the fever, the more pronounced it will be.

The development of an abdominal syndrome, manifested by painful sensations in the intestinal region, is not excluded.

Most children suffer from rhinitis, while nasal discharge is serous-mucous in nature.

The soft palate is edematous, the posterior wall of the oropharynx is hyperemic, abundant granularity is observed. It is possible to develop tracheitis with, which causes pain not only along the trachea, but also behind the sternum.

Improvement in the child's condition will occur on day 3-4 if the flu has a mild or moderate course. However, you should not expect a complete recovery after such a short time. Such phenomena as a runny nose, sore throat, coughing will continue for another 14 days. The recovery period after influenza in children is accompanied by increased fatigue, excessive sweating and weakness.

The high-risk group includes newborns and children under six months. The manifestations of toxicosis in them are minimal, the development of the disease is gradual, catarrhal phenomena are often absent. Children refuse to eat, regurgitate, sometimes vomiting develops, sleep is disturbed. Bacterial complications develop very early and quickly, and therefore the outcome of the disease may be unfavorable.

Influenza in children is caused by infection of the body with a virus belonging to the orthomyxovirus family. It can be a type A, B or C virus. Due to the fact that the type A virus is capable of changing its own structure, it is he who most often causes epidemics than other viruses. The source of the spread of infection is either an infected person or another living organism (birds and pigs).

As for the type B flu, it is he who most often affects children, circulating only among people. Mass cases of registration of infection most often occur before the outbreak of an influenza type A epidemic, or are combined with it. Influenza B epidemics usually occur within the same country.

The influenza type C virus causes isolated cases of the disease and has a stable structure, therefore, its strains do not contain influenza vaccines.

Children become infected mainly by airborne droplets during conversation, coughing, sneezing. Although in organized children's groups, the contact-household route of transmission of the disease is not uncommon. The virus can be found on surfaces of personal care products, toys, cutlery, bedding, etc.

The virus spreads especially actively under changing weather conditions with fluctuations in humidity and ambient temperature.

Other conditions favorable for the transmission and infection of the influenza virus are:

Hypovitaminosis, which is often found in children;

Lack of sunlight;

Lack of full-fledged immune protection;

Overcrowding of children's groups;

Poor hygiene skills in children or insufficient hygiene.

The virus infection process is as follows:

The infection enters the child's body through the ENT organs and is fixed in the epithelium of the respiratory tract;

Having attached itself to the cell with the help of hemagglutinin, the virus begins to destroy the integrity of the cell membrane;

Once inside the cell, the virus begins to produce its proteins and RNA;

New viruses leave the destroyed cell and look for a healthy one to continue the reproduction process;

After destroying the epithelium of the respiratory tract, viruses enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the child's body, provoking intoxication.

Complications of influenza in children

Complications of influenza in children can vary over time (late and early), by etiological factor (viral and bacterial), and also by location.

Most often, in childhood, against the background of influenza, a complication such as pneumonia develops. Primary viral pneumonia occurs in the first 1-2 days and most often has a hemorrhagic nature. Perhaps the development of distress syndrome with severe respiratory failure, sputum separation with blood, wheezing in the lungs. Against the background of such a complication, a lethal outcome is not excluded, which occurs 4-5 days after the onset of pneumonia.

Secondary bacterial pneumonia develops more often 5-6 days from the onset of the underlying disease. It can be provoked by staphylococci, pneumococci, haemophilus influenzae, chlamydia, legionella and other bacteria.

In addition to pneumonia, the following complications of infection are possible:

False croup;

Otitis media;

Bronchiolitis;

• Mmyocarditis;

  Meningoencephalitis;

  Liver and kidney damage is more common in avian influenza;

  Reye's syndrome;

  Renal failure;

  Cardiovascular insufficiency;

  Laryngeal stenosis;

  Asthmatic Syndrome.

Children under 2 years of age are more susceptible to complications, as well as those patients who have other concomitant diseases: heart defects, bronchial asthma, congenital immunodeficiency, diabetes, etc.

Popular questions from parents

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Influenza treatment in children

Influenza treatment in children is most often done at home. However, in the presence of indications (severe course of the disease, complications of infection), hospitalization of the patient is necessary. In addition, all newborns and infants are hospitalized. Social indications for inpatient treatment should be taken into account, for example, the presence of a child in an orphanage, or living in an asocial family.

Basic principles of therapy for children with influenza:

Compliance with bed rest during the acute period of the illness and half-bed rest while the fever is over.

Light but balanced diet, drink plenty of fluids.

At the discretion of the treating doctor, antiviral drugs are prescribed: Ingavirin, Tamiflu, IRS 19, Remantadin, Arbidol, Grippferon, Amiksin, Kagocel, etc.

Taking antipyretic drugs for. Children should be given either Paracetamol or Ibuprofen to lower their body temperature. Acetylsalicylic acid is not prescribed for children.

With viscous and thick sputum, it is necessary to take mucolytic drugs, for example, Ambroxol, Erespal, Lazolvan and Bromhexin. According to the indications, inhalations with sputum-thinning solutions are carried out.

When the cough is painful, it is possible to take antitussives, but not to suppress it, but to reduce the intensity of the cough. It can be such means as: Tusuprex, Libeksin, Sinekod, Glauvent.

They are instilled into the nose in an age-appropriate dosage, for example, Tizin, Nazivin, Rinofluimucil, etc.

It is possible to take B vitamins, vitamin C, or multivitamin complexes.

Antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial complications. For this, the following drugs can be used:

Protected penicillins:, Flemoxin solutab, Augmentin;

Cephalosporins: Ceftriaxone, Cefuroxime Axetil;

Macrolides: Azithromycin, Roxyhexal, Wilprafen, etc.

During the recovery period, it is possible to take adaptogens and immunomodulators.

How not to treat influenza and SARS in children

Some world statistics

It has been proven that up to 90% of all acute respiratory viral infections occurring in childhood are of viral origin. Antibiotic therapy has no effect on viruses. However, many parents, due to their ignorance, and also wanting to speed up recovery, give their child antibiotics for every cold.

It should be understood that there are no safe medicines. This also applies to antibacterial drugs that have a detrimental effect on the immune system, provoke dysbacteriosis, lead to the development of allergies, "harden" bacteria, increasing their resistance.

Naturally, pediatricians are aware of the dangers of inadequate antibiotic therapy, but they continue to prescribe it even with ARVI. Indeed, under the conditions of a home examination, with little experience of work, when only a phonendoscope is in the hands, it is quite problematic to differentiate pneumonia from a cold.

An antibiotic is the easiest to prescribe. After all, the harm from taking these drugs is not too noticeable at the beginning of treatment, and if pneumonia still manifests, then the doctor will say that he prescribed adequate treatment.

So, antibiotics for colds in children under 12 years old should not be taken in the first five days from the onset of the disease. If parents are very worried about the adequacy of the therapy, then a blood and urine test should be done, an x-ray of the lungs should be taken to confirm the viral nature of the disease and to exclude the development of complications.

Increased body temperature

Children aged 6 years and older need to lower their body temperature if it exceeds 39 degrees or more. It is capable of damaging the health of the child, as it goes beyond the physiological norm.

At the age of 6 years, the body temperature must be reduced in the case when it exceeds 38.6 degrees, since there is a risk of seizures. In the event that convulsions have occurred earlier, it is necessary to give an antipyretic agent at a body temperature of 37.5 degrees and above.

Body temperature is the body's strongest weapon against infection. It contributes to the fact that viruses die, and the body's existing reserves are mobilized. Therefore, the more intensely the body temperature is lowered, the longer the disease will last. It is also possible that the drug, which is offered to the child as an antipyretic, will cause him an allergy, contribute to the formation of an ulcer, affect the functioning of the kidneys, up to the development of renal failure.

To reduce your body temperature, you can use the following tips:

When the baby's skin is pink, it should not be additionally insulated. The child needs to be undressed to allow air access to the body.

If the skin of the child is pale, then you need to cover it with a light blanket and offer a plentiful warm drink.

Local rubbing of the child's legs and arms with vodka can be carried out only after a year. Alcohol evaporates and cools the skin. Stronger alcoholic solutions cannot be used, as this can injure delicate baby skin. In addition, some of the alcohol will be absorbed, which will contribute to intoxication.

Cold must be applied to the main vessels. To do this, you should take cold water into a bottle and apply it to the groin area and to the armpits, since this is where large blood vessels pass.

The child's head should remain open, since up to 80% of heat loss occurs through it.

The child should consume as much fluid as possible, as it evaporates very intensely during a fever. This threatens dehydration.

Prevention of influenza in children is carried out primarily through vaccination. Their effectiveness has been proven by many years of tests and experience of use. This is the main defense against influenza virus that WHO recommends. Immunity develops after about a month, after the introduction of the vaccine and will remain on average for a year. For this purpose, children are injected with vaccines such as Influvac, Grippol, Grippol plus, Fluarix, etc.

Other preventive measures to prevent the incidence of influenza in children are the following:

Early detection of the disease and isolation of a sick child from society.

Systematic ventilation of the premises and their regular wet cleaning using disinfectants.

Quartzization of premises.

Washing your hands often.

Wearing sterile medical masks during an epidemic.

Refusal to visit crowded places.

Refusal from intergroup and other mass events in kindergarten.

Introduction of extraordinary holidays during the flu epidemic.

As a rule, the prognosis for recovery is favorable in the case of a typical course of the disease. The threat of death increases with hypertrophic and complicated forms of influenza, as well as with infection of children at risk.

The author of the article: Alekseeva Maria Yurievna, therapist, especially for the site site

Influenza in children is a disease so common that many parents prefer not to go to the doctor at the first symptoms, but to start self-treatment. In terms of helping the child, this is correct, but it is strictly forbidden to avoid consulting a professional. After all, complications of influenza in children can be deplorable - up to pneumonia. Therefore, even after removing the first symptoms of inflammation, be sure to contact a doctor.

Causes and course of influenza in children

Influenza refers to acute viral diseases, which are characterized by manifestations of severe intoxication, a pronounced febrile reaction of the body. With influenza, the upper respiratory tract is affected. The flu virus in a child is difficult to control. The disease often proceeds as an epidemic or even a pandemic. Epidemics occur during the cold season. During epidemics of influenza, children are most affected, especially those under the age of 3. Mortality is highest among children in the second half of life.

Influenza in children is caused by a filterable virus belonging to the mixovirus group. Outside the human body, the influenza virus quickly dies; the pathogen is unstable under the influence of factors such as drying, heating, ultraviolet radiation. The virus is very sensitive to the action of disinfectants.

When flu symptoms occur in children, the source of infection is a sick person. It is most contagious at the height of the disease, when the body temperature rises and when a characteristic clinical picture of influenza can be observed. The infection is transmitted to a healthy person by airborne droplets - usually from a very short distance. Since the influenza virus is not very stable in the external environment, the possibility of infection through any objects is very low.

The person is highly susceptible to this disease. The first signs of influenza in children can appear even after a fairly short contact with a sick person. Children of the first six months of life are the least susceptible to this disease (the child is protected by protective bodies received through the placenta with mother's blood and later with mother's milk). Children in the second half of their life are as susceptible to influenza as everyone else. The immunity that remains after the illness is rather short; so, after influenza type A, immunity lasts two years, and after influenza type B - about 3 years. Moreover, the immunity is specific; it protects the body only from the type of virus for which it was developed.

When a sick person coughs and sneezes, a huge amount of microscopic droplets of mucus and saliva is dispersed in the air around him; there are a myriad of influenza viruses in these droplets. The droplets suspended in the air serve as a convenient vehicle for viruses. A healthy person inhales these microscopic droplets along with the air, the droplets settle on the surface of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, and the virus enters the epithelial cells. The course of influenza in children at this stage continues: the virus begins to multiply rapidly in epithelial cells and, at the same time, release its toxin, as a result of which the mucous membrane becomes inflamed. Gradually, a significant part of the cells die, disintegrate, slough off. Viruses and their toxins, leaving these cells, enter the bloodstream and are already carried with it throughout the body, intoxication develops. The virus and its toxin exert their pathogenic effect on all organs and tissues, but mainly the toxic effect is directed to the central and autonomic nervous system,
on blood vessels - mainly on capillaries and precapillaries. Since the elasticity, tone and permeability of the walls of the named smallest vessels are disturbed, hemodynamic disorders develop in various organs and tissues, which largely determine certain clinical manifestations of influenza.

If a secondary infection (in the role of which is the bacterial flora) joins the first symptoms of influenza in children, the course of the disease becomes worse and becomes protracted. The accession of a secondary infection becomes the cause of the development of severe complications of influenza in children - for example, pneumonia.

What are the signs of flu in children: the first manifestations of symptoms in a child

Distinguish between mild, moderate and severe flu.

The duration of the incubation period for influenza is one to two days. In some cases, this period may be only a few hours. How does the flu manifest in a child at this stage?

The disease has an acute onset. The body temperature suddenly rises, the patient complains of general weakness, chills. The febrile reaction depends on the severity of the disease. In most cases, the body temperature reaches 39-40ᵒС. If the disease is mild, the body temperature does not exceed 38 ° C.

What are the flu symptoms in children in this phase? The manifestations of general intoxication are rapidly increasing. Since the nervous system is affected, the patient may complain of dizziness, severe headache, skin hyperesthesia; the patient is lethargic, drowsy (in more rare cases, he, on the contrary, is agitated). There are such signs of flu in a child as irritability and fatigue; if the body temperature is very high, the patient may have darkening of consciousness, delirium, hallucinations, loss of consciousness. Symptoms characteristic of influenza are pain in the eye sockets when turning the eyeballs, muscle pain, neuralgic pain. The impact of the toxin does not lead to a violation (first to its increase, and then to a decrease), to disturbances in the heart rhythm, to the development of cyanosis. Since the walls of the capillaries are affected, nosebleeds, hemorrhages in the mucous membranes and in the conjunctival membrane of the eyes may occur.

What signs of flu in a child indicate the active development of the disease? Catarrhal changes in the mucous membrane lining the upper respiratory tract are characteristic enough. The patient's nose is stuffy - sometimes the swelling of the mucous membrane is so pronounced that nasal breathing becomes impossible; the mucous membrane is not only edematous, but also hyperemic; bothersome sensations of dryness, burning, sore throat; these sensations provoke a cough (dry); the patient's voice is often hoarse.

As you can see in the photo, with flu in children, redness of the mucous membrane of the palatine arches, uvula, back and side walls of the oropharynx is observed; sometimes point hemorrhages are visible on the mucous membrane:

General intoxication of the body with influenza often causes nausea and vomiting. In a small child, stool may be liquid, in older children, on the contrary, constipation develops. Another manifestation of influenza in children is a coated tongue. At the very beginning of the illness, the child may complain of abdominal pain.

The skin of a child during a febrile period may be reddened, at other times they are pale. In some cases, rashes can be observed - like scarlet fever; however, these rashes quickly fade away.

Complications after the flu and a photo of the throat of a sick child

Complications are more common in young children and less common in older children. The most common complications are found in children in the first year of life. More susceptible to complications are children whose body is characterized by a low resistance to infection (for example, if they are weakened by any other diseases), children suffering from rickets.

Among the most frequent complications of influenza should be called pneumonia (small focal, segmental, large focal, etc.), lung abscesses, sinusitis (sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, ethmoiditis, sphenoiditis), encephalitis, neuritis, radiculitis, neuralgia, nephritis, pyelitis, cystitis, etc. etc.

If a child has any chronically proceeding process (chronic tonsillitis, rheumatism, tuberculosis, etc.), then the flu can cause an exacerbation of this process.

These photos show the throat with flu in children - it is inflamed, redness is pronounced:

In most cases, the outcome of the disease is favorable. The prognosis, however, can be clouded for a small child, whose body resistance is low. For young children suffering from rickets, malnutrition, as well as children suffering from various acute or chronic infectious diseases, the prognosis may also be unfavorable. The prognosis worsens with the addition of complications.

There is a direct relationship: the sooner the child is prescribed treatment, the more favorable the prognosis.

How to properly treat influenza in children at home

Having identified the symptoms of influenza in children, treatment should be started immediately. Most children with the flu are treated at home; only those with a severe course of the disease are hospitalized.

How to treat the flu in a child at home to prevent complications? Children must observe strict bed rest during the entire period when a temperature reaction takes place. After normalization of body temperature, the regime can be half-bed. It is important that there is always fresh air in the room where the sick child is. But the baby must be kept warm (warm clothes, warm cotton blanket; heating pads are used if necessary).

When treating the influenza virus in children, a dairy-plant diet is prescribed. The diet should be enriched with foods that are sources of vitamins for the body. Shown a plentiful warm drink. Hot drinks can also be given to a teenage child.

How to treat the flu in a child when the disease is just beginning? In this case, oxolinic ointment, leukocyte interferon, and immunal can be effective.

And how to treat the flu in children if the disease is severe? In this case, intramuscular administration of anti-influenza γ-globulin is indicated. Symptomatic therapy is of great importance: in case of severe headache and febrile reaction, the child should take acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) or drugs that contain acetylsalicylic acid; analgin, amidopyrine may also be helpful; according to indications - cardiac drugs, expectorants; with the appearance of hemorrhages - rutin, askorutin, calcium supplements, vicasol. To reduce the phenomena of intoxication, the child is given a plentiful drink, in particular, having a diuretic and diaphoretic effect; the doctor may prescribe intravenous fluids of plasma, glucose. To increase the body's resistance, as well as as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent, the child is prescribed ascorbic acid (vitamin C). If a patient develops a complication - due to joining the process of a bacterial infection - in the treatment plan
antibacterial agents (antibiotics, sulfa drugs) are included. On an individual basis, the doctor prescribes warm baths. A child who has developed or keratoconjunctivitis must be examined by an ophthalmologist; regular eye rinsing with a warm solution of sodium sulfacil (30%), the use of ophthalmic hydrocortisone ointment can be prescribed.

If you know how to properly treat the flu in children, complications can be avoided.

There can be no successful treatment for influenza without proper child care. By providing the child with constant and high-quality care, the mother accelerates his recovery and helps him avoid dangerous complications.

• the child needs to be surrounded by attention. It should be borne in mind that a sick child is irritable and capricious. Mom should not reprimand the child for his whims;
• if possible, in the room where the sick child is, you should regularly turn on the germicidal lamp. During the operation of the lamp, the child is moved to another room;
• a sick child should often wash with soap;
• the child must rinse his throat and mouth many times a day with solutions of baking soda, table salt (iodized), natural sea salt, infusions and decoctions of various medicinal plants that have antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects;
• a sick child should clean the nose with great care several times a day. The less mucus (with viruses and their toxins) in the nasal cavity and nasopharynx the child has, the faster the child will recover and the less likely it will be to develop complications such as otitis media and sinusitis;
• in no case should a sick child be allowed to swallow mucus that flows into the oropharynx from the nasopharynx. When mucus is swallowed, portion by portion, viruses and their toxins enter the digestive tract, seeding it; at the same time, toxins are more actively absorbed into the lymph and blood, which cannot but aggravate the condition of the sick child. Mom should clearly explain to the child the harm of the habit of swallowing mucus; newly released mucus is removed from the nose by extremely active blowing out;
• underwear and bedding of a sick child should be changed by the mother as often as possible. This recommendation is due to the fact that the child sweats a lot with the flu; the remains of sweat absorbed by the linen can irritate the baby's skin;
• while caring for a child with the flu, when a sick baby is sweating, you need to remove sweat from his skin with a dry gauze cloth or towel. It is recommended to remove perspiration residues from the skin with a napkin moistened with warm water and wrung out thoroughly;
• so that the child does not develop pneumonia, he should be turned more often in bed (this eliminates congestion in the lungs). A child over 3 years old can regularly turn in bed by himself - you should only periodically remind him of this. Also, for the prevention of pneumonia, the child is recommended to take deep and long breaths;
• the child must be constantly warmed;
• the child's diet should be diversified with those products that are sources of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) for the body. These are such products as cinnamon rose hips, oranges, lemons, grapefruits, tangerines, limes, quince, persimmons, apples and pears, black currants, lingonberries, marsh cranberries, mountain ash, red pepper (sweet), white cabbage, cabbage cauliflower, cabbage (kale), Brussels sprouts, spinach, turnips, curly parsley, asparagus, green onions, radishes, tomatoes, etc.;
• give the child 1 teaspoon of rosehip syrup or a dessert spoon (depending on age) 2-3 times a day;
• in season it follows that the child has more fruits of common raspberries and blackberries with gray. The fact is that the fruits of raspberries and blackberries contain a fairly large amount of salicylic acid. This substance is well known as "natural aspirin"; it has antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, diaphoretic and analgesic effect; also in the fruits of these plants there is a lot of vitamin C, which has an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect.

Protecting Your Child: Preventing Flu in Preschool Children

How can I protect my child from the flu and other respiratory diseases? Measures to prevent influenza in preschool children are as follows:

• the patient must be isolated without fail; the ideal option is a separate room for the patient; if it is not possible to allocate a separate room for the patient, part of the room should be fenced off for him with a screen; communication with family members is as limited as possible; all caregivers should wear gauze masks (4 layers of gauze). In addition, caregivers should wash their faces more often and wash their hands with soap and water;
• the patient's dishes and towels should be separate; used dishes are first soaked in a disinfectant solution and only then washed; keep the sick person's dishes separate from the dishes of other family members; the towel used by the patient is washed separately from the towels and linen of other family members;
• living quarters are regularly ventilated (the flu virus does not like fresh air). The premises are cleaned daily; the floors are wiped using a 0.2% solution of bleach or other disinfectants;
• for specific prophylaxis of influenza, an influenza vaccine is used. For individual prophylaxis, human leukocyte interferon is used (the drug is instilled into the nasal passages 3-4 times a day for 4-6 days after contact with the patient);
• for the prevention of influenza in children, it is important to have good nutrition with a sufficient content of vitamins; it is especially important to fully meet the physiological needs of the body with vitamins with antioxidant properties - vitamins A, C, E; if necessary, the doctor prescribes additional vitamins for the child. It is also very important to include fermented milk products in the menu - for example, kefir; when live bacteria present in fermented milk products enter the body, they stimulate the production of antibodies by the organs of the immune system that are aggressive against the influenza virus and causative agents of other acute respiratory infections;
• the child takes regular and sufficient walks in the fresh air;
• the child hardens the body - with air, sunlight, water. The child does morning exercises every day, during the day performs complexes of gymnastic exercises, goes in for sports;
• for the prevention of influenza in children, babies need to be systematically massaged;
• the mother will arrange a calm environment for the child. It is known that stressful situations and increased mental stress generally significantly reduce the body's resistance, thereby making the body susceptible to infection;
• the mother creates the conditions necessary for a sufficiently long and deep sleep of the child. The body of a child who has slept is able to provide a powerful immune response to the effects of viral and bacterial infections.

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