How to Take Care of Kids With the Flu
Even if you take all the preventive measures, there will be times when your child will acquire the flu infection.
As a parent, you need to know how to take care of your child when they come down with the flu bug.
In general, child care would involve managing the various symptoms of the flu, including fever and chills, dry coughs, dehydration and body aches.
Because there is no drug that can kill the flu virus, managing all of these symptoms may seem like a daunting task for moms and dads.
However, there are ways by which you can make caring for your kids with the flu less stressful and hasten their recovery.
Observe Proper Hydration Kids need to be hydrated with lots of clear fluids when they have the flu to prevent dehydration.
You can give them water, fresh fruit juices, and broths.
While some moms recommend giving a sick child popsicles and ice chips, the practice of giving them cold food items should be avoided as these would only irritate the child's throat.
Supply the Essential Nutrients through Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Juices The flu can drain a child of energy, so that they feel very weak and exhausted, and develop loss of appetite.
Consider making fresh fruit and vegetable juice with a juicer.
These food items contain all the essential nutrients that a child needs to keep his or her strength up, and help them in fighting the flu.
Adequate Rest While some parents still send their kids to school even if they have the flu so they don't miss important school days, they are only making their child's condition worse.
Plus, they are allowing the spread of the infection to their kid's classmates.
Instead, let your child stay at home for 2 to 3 days to rest.
So that they won't feel bored lying in bed, you can let them watch their favorite TV shows or movies, give them books or comics to read, or some puzzles and games to keep them entertained.
Alleviating Symptoms with Over the Counter Medications It is important for parents to manage their child's symptoms through medicines.
First and foremost, it is vital to consult with your doctor on what are the best medications to give to your child.
Usually, for fever and body aches, a doctor will prescribe over the counter medicines like paracetamol (Calpol), acetaminophen (Children's Tylenol) or even ibuprofen (Children's Motrin).
These should be administered to the child in the proper doses and at the right times in order to prevent overdosing and any untoward drug reactions.
Commonly, OTC medications are given at 1 teaspoon every 4 hours for as long as the fever is 38 degrees Centigrade and higher.
To prevent over medicating your child, always make use of the medicine dropper or dispenser that comes with the medicine.
Follow your doctor's instructions to the letter.
Prevent Spread of Flu to Other Family Members If your child is sick with the flu, you need to prevent the infection from spreading to other members in your family.
Keep your family away from your sick child or have them wear a face mask.
Encourage your sick child to wash his or her hands frequently and wipe down any toys or items that they have handled.
Throw away any used tissues in a covered trash can.
While taking care of a child sick with the flu seems like a full time job, just follow the flu tips mentioned above and you are sure to hasten your child's recovery.
As a parent, you need to know how to take care of your child when they come down with the flu bug.
In general, child care would involve managing the various symptoms of the flu, including fever and chills, dry coughs, dehydration and body aches.
Because there is no drug that can kill the flu virus, managing all of these symptoms may seem like a daunting task for moms and dads.
However, there are ways by which you can make caring for your kids with the flu less stressful and hasten their recovery.
Observe Proper Hydration Kids need to be hydrated with lots of clear fluids when they have the flu to prevent dehydration.
You can give them water, fresh fruit juices, and broths.
While some moms recommend giving a sick child popsicles and ice chips, the practice of giving them cold food items should be avoided as these would only irritate the child's throat.
Supply the Essential Nutrients through Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Juices The flu can drain a child of energy, so that they feel very weak and exhausted, and develop loss of appetite.
Consider making fresh fruit and vegetable juice with a juicer.
These food items contain all the essential nutrients that a child needs to keep his or her strength up, and help them in fighting the flu.
Adequate Rest While some parents still send their kids to school even if they have the flu so they don't miss important school days, they are only making their child's condition worse.
Plus, they are allowing the spread of the infection to their kid's classmates.
Instead, let your child stay at home for 2 to 3 days to rest.
So that they won't feel bored lying in bed, you can let them watch their favorite TV shows or movies, give them books or comics to read, or some puzzles and games to keep them entertained.
Alleviating Symptoms with Over the Counter Medications It is important for parents to manage their child's symptoms through medicines.
First and foremost, it is vital to consult with your doctor on what are the best medications to give to your child.
Usually, for fever and body aches, a doctor will prescribe over the counter medicines like paracetamol (Calpol), acetaminophen (Children's Tylenol) or even ibuprofen (Children's Motrin).
These should be administered to the child in the proper doses and at the right times in order to prevent overdosing and any untoward drug reactions.
Commonly, OTC medications are given at 1 teaspoon every 4 hours for as long as the fever is 38 degrees Centigrade and higher.
To prevent over medicating your child, always make use of the medicine dropper or dispenser that comes with the medicine.
Follow your doctor's instructions to the letter.
Prevent Spread of Flu to Other Family Members If your child is sick with the flu, you need to prevent the infection from spreading to other members in your family.
Keep your family away from your sick child or have them wear a face mask.
Encourage your sick child to wash his or her hands frequently and wipe down any toys or items that they have handled.
Throw away any used tissues in a covered trash can.
While taking care of a child sick with the flu seems like a full time job, just follow the flu tips mentioned above and you are sure to hasten your child's recovery.
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