The risk of complications from influenza in children
Complications of influenza in children is an alarming and serious problem that requires a lot of attention from both parents and from the doctors.
The risk of flu in a child
The child's body is subjected to less aggressive influence of the external environment, and the protective strength of his small and fragile body is much weaker than that of an adult. Therefore, each the disease becomes for kid big test. It is extremely important to treat fully and consistently, do not stop taking the medication at the first signs of improvement of health, or complications of influenza in children not long in coming.
The flu is a very common disease, and its complications are more common than after other diseases. The reason lies primarily in the danger of flu in its diversity and variety of forms of flow. The child brings the flu are significantly heavier than older people. There are situations when complications turn the kid into an invalid. The flu virus can even kill a child, death is particularly common in younger children.
Flu symptoms
This viral disease, like the flu, it is crucial to recognize and not confuse with the common cold. The flu virus has a very high toxicity, so it has a number of distinctive features that immediately should alert the mother:
- The increase in body temperature to 38 degrees or more (often waves).
- Headache.
- A significant weakness in the body (like joints and muscles).
- Dizziness.
- Chills.
Among the optional, and rather rare, symptoms include coughing, vomiting, hallucinations, sore throat, lack of appetite, restless sleep, irritability, moodiness, change in the frequency and character of stool, wheezing, copious mucus from the nose.
Not all flu symptoms are manifested with the same intensity and at the same time, so it's important to track and intensity. In infants picture of influenza is usually blurred, because the body of the baby is not yet able to provide strong enough resistance. The increase in temperature for a baby is the indication that the child must be immediately taken to the pediatrician. In implicit clinical picture or if there are any serious doubt from the physician for the diagnosis of influenza can be used various methods, including smear from the oral cavity and the nasal cavity.
Treatment of influenza in children
influenza">Timely treatment of influenza - the best struggle with complications that may arise in the child.
Measures against this viral infection must necessarily be integrated, otherwise, the disease will retreat in some areas but grow in others. You first need to take suitable baby age medicines. They must appoint a doctor, because self-medication may lead to fatal and detrimental to the health of the child error. It is possible that the specialist will prescribe homeopathic medicines because they are easier tolerated by children, in contrast to the serious and complex antibiotics. Antiviral drugs help the body resist disease. Do not reduce the body temperature, if it reaches a critical point - 39-40 degrees. If the temperature became very high, it is possible to use soft means such as wiping or special baby candles.
There are other supporting measures. Bed rest child just need at least the first 3-5 days of disease onset. This saves the strength of the child and facilitates his condition. It is extremely important to drink plenty of liquids and regular ventilation of the nursery, at least 5-6 times a day. Useful to frequently wash hands with soap and water and rinse the nose to prevent the virus to go deeper into the body of the child. Breathing exercises allows you to unclog bronchial tubes and free them from bacteria. Helps to fight flu and massage, if performed by a qualified specialist.
Complications from the flu
Complications of influenza in children are quite varied, their nature and severity are largely dependent on the immunity of the baby and the mistakes that were made in the course of his treatment. The most complex and serious complications include the following:
Encephalitis. When the viral infection affects the brain (the cortex) of the child, is expressed primarily in headaches, sensitivity to light, loss of consciousness and convulsions. Appear hemorrhage. The virus deeply affects blood vessels responsible for the full operation of the brain. Sometimes it functions to recover to its previous level fails, and the consequences last a lifetime. A strong violation of the brain can lead to severe coma.
The otitis. The most common complication of influenza in children is otitis media. It often develops in infants and toddlers have not yet reached the age of two. Children at this age are not able to timely and correctly vysmarkivatsya, infection ascends through the nose to the ears and gets the opportunity to develop deeply enough. An ear infection usually appears after 3-4days from the onset of the disease and insufficient attention to its treatment becomes chronic, leading to hearing loss. In rare cases, otitis media can cause brain damage if the pus came out through the ear passage, and penetrated into the brain.
Pneumonia. The inflammatory process in the lungs is extremely dangerous, especially when the child has any chronic diseases of the respiratory system. It is an insidious complication does not always shines, so parents often notice the pneumonia only when the child's condition deteriorates significantly, there is increased sweating, high temperature. Shortness of breath, cough and chest pain indicate swelling and inflammation in the lungs. Pneumonia is often fatal. And the younger the child, the harder it is for doctors to fight for the life of his patient. Success often depends on how quickly commenced appropriate treatment.
Reye's Syndrome. If the child's treatment was carried out using acetylsalicylic acid, you may experience brain swelling and liver failure. This rare syndrome occurs exclusively in children and is characterized by nausea, vomiting, although the cause is neurological in nature. The condition of the young patient is deteriorating very fast, the consciousness becomes confused. Intracranial pressure is constantly growing. To the death of Reye's syndrome is responsible for approximately 40% of cases.
Prevention of complications
As the flu and its complications can be avoided if the child's parents choose the right line of conduct. Epidemics of influenza occur most often in autumn and winter, so at this time, it is desirable to avoid public events, and when visiting crowded places to use oxolinic ointment for nasal cavity and antibacterial hand wipes.
Correctly selected vitamins support the immune system and is a good preventive measure against flu. Thoughtful and balanced nutrition forms the basis of the immunity of the child. Air purification in residential area also has a significant impact. The air can be disinfected with special modern devices, but you can use old remedies such as garlic or onion. They pair perfectly destroy viruses of all kinds.
The growing popularity of vaccination against influenza. Vaccinations of this kind can be done only with doctor's permission and only at a qualified medical facility. The child must not have any contraindications and after the flu shots need to closely monitor his condition throughout the week, as the vaccination rarely givescomplications.
Complications of influenza can occur quite suddenly and affect the health of the child tragically. So attentive to the baby's health, alert observation of any symptoms of his illness - a pledge of full future and good health of any child.
In our days medicine can help in most cases, but time is a crucial factor, and at the slightest suspicion of the disease, parents should contact a qualified doctors.