COLDS & FLU
T With some guidelines and expert tips, we are taking the guesswork out of cold and flu season
he average child gets a cold or flu six to eight times a year. So, since it is almost impossible to avoid colds and flu altogether you need a plan to fight winter coughs, sniffles and sneezes when they happen. These expert tips will help you cope this winter.
KNOW THE DIFFERENCE
“The flu is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs by influenza viruses which is most infectious from around May to September in South Africa,” explains Dr Liezl Zulke, a paediatric cardiologist.
WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR
The flu can be very dangerous for children. Each year thousands of children under five are hospitalised with flu complications, like pneumonia, which is why parents should know the warning signs before things have gone too far. “If your child is under five or has a medical condition like asthma, diabetes, or a neurologic problem, call your doctor right away. These children are at higher risk of serious complications from flu,” explains Dr Zulke. Likewise, if your baby is younger than six months and has a high temperature that does not settle with simple flu fighting strategies, seek medical attention.
Here are additional warning signs that warrant a visit to the doctor: Fast breathing or trouble breathing. Lethargy, not waking up or not interacting with you. Bluish skin colour. A temperature of 40°C or higher or fever with a rash. Not drinking enough fluids and making fewer soiled or wet nappies than usual. Unable to keep fluids down. Being so irritable that she does not want to be held. Flu symptoms that improve but return with fever and a worse cough. When baby has a suspected earache (she may pull on her ear and fuss.) Cold symptoms for longer than a week or a cough that does not go away within three days. Forceful vomiting after feedings or for more than 12 hours, also has diarrhoea and a fever. Your baby or child has yellow or green nasal mucus.
TREATING COLDS AND FLU
Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and continue breastfeeding if you have a young baby. For muscle aches and fever, give a pain reliever like children’s’ paracetomol or ibuprofen.
“Give regular, small volumes of fluid. Your child might not eat much, but needs to drink sufficient fluids,” says Dr Marie Wessels, a Cape Town paediatrician. It helps to keep your child hydrated and to keep the ever-present snot thin. “Treat fever with paracetamol and other fever fighting strategies.”
Colds and flu are transmitted through touch, so the best way of dealing with them is to prevent them from spreading even further. Do this by practising excellent hygiene like regular hand washing with an antibacterial soap.
“Parents should also watch out for warning signs and know when to get to the doctor,” says Dr Wessels.
During dry colder months, nasal passages dry out and become the ideal breeding place for airborne germs. Taking care of your baby or tot’s nasal passages, ears and throat is therefore very important to avoid further snags. Saline spray is the easiest way to keep little nasal passages lubricated. It assists in flushing out bacteria easily and in doing so prevents further congestion and infection.
Humidifiers can also assist in keeping secretions thin and ensure irritated airways stay moist and clear, helping baby to breathe easily.
The reason why colds in young children often lead to ear infections is because the Eustachian tubes (the passageways in the ear) that are the link between the ears and throats are smaller and shorter – a shorter distance for bacteria to travel into the ear and less space to flush out infection. If this happens, children suffer from severe pain as the mucus buildup in the narrow tubes pushes against the eardrums. A warm, moist cloth placed over the ear will help alleviate discomfort.
A sore throat should pass in a few days, but until then you can try to teach your toddler (of two and older) to gargle with warm salt water and to drink warm soups, teas and water with honey (not for under-ones) and lemon. Sweet-like throat lozenges made especially for children are great, but are usually only suitable for older kids so check the instructions to be sure. Children under six shouldn’t be given oral decongestants and cough syrups. Stick to topical decongestants (drops or sprays), but not for no longer than three days. Tea with honey serves the same purpose as decongesting syrup.