Although often confused with common cold symptoms, flu symptoms are usually more painful and pronounced.

The flu is a viral disease of the upper respiratory tract that comes with symptoms such as fever, runny nose and cough, and is most common during fall and winter. It is highly contagious, so it can also be seen in babies. Here you can find an answer to questions like “How does the flu start in babies? What are the symptoms?” and “How is the flu treated in babies?”.

How does the flu start in babies?

Flu viruses are spread through droplets that are created when people with flu cough or sneeze. People who are nearby breathe in these droplets or possibly inhale them into the lungs. Flu in babies starts the same way when babies are in the same environment with a sick person. The disease can also spread through viruses attached to any surface that come into contact with the nose or mouth. Although usually not fatal in healthy adults, it can cause severe complications in infants, people with chronic illnesses and the elderly. For this reason, flu in infants should be treated as soon as possible and necessary precautions should be taken. Untreated flu can cause pneumonia in infants under 2 years of age.

The flu is more common between October and March but can also be seen at different seasons of the year, although less frequently. Toddlers over 2 years of age and family members can be vaccinated against flu as a preventive measure. As the flu virus mutates very quickly, the vaccine is considered protective for one year and must be renewed every flu season.

What are the best remedies for flu in babies?

If you think your baby has the flu, it may leave you wondering what you can do to help your baby feel better. The best way to treat your baby is to consult a doctor. The doctor may recommend symptomatic painkillers and antipyretics for flu treatment. In some cases, antibiotics may also be prescribed to protect the lungs against other bacteria. In addition to medication, there are also other remedies and prevention methods that you should practice at home. Frequent breastfeeding or bottle feeding is important to prevent dehydration. Nasal irrigation and frequent ventilation of the baby's room can ease the baby's breathing and help your baby get over the flu fast. Air purifiers can be used to keep the air in the room and the baby's airways moist, or a container of hot water can be kept in the room. You also should take the baby's temperature frequently to keep it under control.

What are the symptoms of the flu in babies?

Since babies cannot communicate their pain or other ailments like adults, parents should keep a close eye on the symptoms and consult a health institution. Flu in babies can manifest itself with symptoms like runny nose and fever. Other symptoms that can occur include cough, pain, fatigue and fussiness. Your baby may also experience sleeping problems due to nasal congestion and the discomfort created by the disease.

Other flu symptoms in babies can be listed as follows:

●       Runny nose and nasal congestion

●       Cough

●       High fever

●       Fatigue and pain

●       Fussiness

●       Difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakening

●       Abdominal pain, diarrhea

●       Nausea, vomiting

●       Trouble breathing

●       Loss of appetite, refusal to eat

Not all symptoms may occur at the same time. If your baby experiences several symptoms at the same time, you should consult a specialist. In case of serious symptoms such as oversleeping, trouble breathing, severe diarrhea, etc., you should seek medical attention right away. If several of these symptoms are observed at the same time, it could be a sign of other health issues. For instance, a baby who shows signs like loss of appetite, fever and diarrhea may be teething.

How long does flu last in babies?

When your baby has the flu, it may leave you wondering how long the flu will last or how long it will take your baby to recover. Adults with the flu recover within 6-8 days with or without treatment. However, if flu is left untreated in babies, it can lead to unwanted health issues such as progression of the disease and development of lung infection. It can take 7 to 10 days for a baby to recover from flu. The baby's condition usually worsens within 72 hours of contracting the illness. Over the next 2 to 3 days, symptoms may subside. Recovery time may depend on factors such as whether the baby receives proper care, the time of starting treatment and the baby’s immune system. Some babies recover quickly, while others may need several days. It is a good idea to monitor the baby's respiratory condition and temperature until recovery. Frequent nasal irrigation is recommended.

How is the flu treated in babies?

If a baby catches the flu despite all preventive efforts, treatment should be started asap. Caution should be exercised in infants and elderly patients as, although rare, it can lead to death. Flu in babies is diagnosed based on the symptoms observed and a swab test can be performed for virus typing. If the disease has advanced, various tests such as blood tests and X-rays may be prescribed.

The medicines often preferred in treating flu in babies include painkillers, antipyretic syrups and antiviral drugs. Antibiotics may also be added to treat secondary bacterial infections in babies whose disease has progressed or may potentially progress. Saline solutions or serum solutions are recommended for nasal irrigation. In older babies, cough syrups may be prescribed if the cough is severe. In addition to medication, caregivers should take precautions such as practicing proper hand hygiene, cleaning the items used by the baby and ventilating the room where the baby sleeps. Breast milk is known to strengthen the baby's immunity. Hence, frequent breastfeeding is recommended to help the baby recover faster and strengthen its immunity.

How to prevent flu in babies

The primary goal is to take the necessary precautions to prevent the baby from being exposed to the flu virus. So you should take the necessary steps to protect your baby from getting the flu in the first place. It is always a good idea to minimize the baby’s contact with sick people and you might consider wearing a mask around your baby while you are sick. Another precaution that can be considered is vaccination of the people who are in direct contact with the baby. The practices to prevent flu in babies can be summarized as follows:

Vaccination

It may be preferable for people living in the same household as the baby to receive the flu vaccine as a precautionary measure while there is still no threat of contracting the disease. Since newborns have the closest contact with their mothers, vaccination of the mother is crucial to prevent transmission. In households where many people live together, vaccination of the baby may also be considered. The flu virus mutates and changes frequently. Therefore, flu vaccination should be repeated every year.

Keeping the baby away from sick people

It is advisable to minimize the baby's contact with people who have the flu. If a member of the household or the baby's caregiver is ill, protective measures should be taken, such as wearing masks and sterilization of common areas. Sick people should cover their mouth with the inside of their sleeve or with a napkin when coughing or sneezing to prevent spread of virus particles into the air. The house should be ventilated frequently and good hand hygiene should be practiced, especially before touching the baby. Baby bottles and other items used for feeding the baby should be cleaned with a baby-safe cleaning agent.

Breastfeeding

Breast milk contains vitamins and minerals that are essential for the nutrition and protection of the baby. Thanks to its content, breast milk strengthens the baby's immunity and provides protection against diseases. Breastfeeding should be encouraged, unless there are specific contraindications.

References:

1.      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2806082/

2.      https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/

3.      https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-recognize-treat-and-prevent-flu-in-babies