MANAGING VIRAL ILLNESSES: What You Need To Know
While the flu, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and COVID are everywhere right now, don’t panic, most cases are mild to moderate and usually can be managed at home.
In addition to an early arrival, this season’s flu is more severe than usual. The usually cold-like RSV has been causing serious illness for high-risk children. In addition, COVID is still around contributing to much of today’s illness.
You should know that urgent and emergency care facilities are overflowing. Hospitals beds are filled to capacity. At the same time, supplies of antibiotics, flu medicine and viral tests are low.
It’s a situation that has left Highland Pediatrics struggling to keep up with phone calls and appointments -- despite increased efforts. We understand you may be feeling nervous and frustrated. We are doing everything we can, working hard to prioritize the sickest children, while not overlooking those less ill, but still in need of care.
We are all in this together
As a parent or guardian, patience, civility and using your judgement for appropriate treatment will help all of us make it through these challenging times. To provide extra help, you can refer to our A Parent’s Guide to Managing Viral Illnesses that offers helpful information for managing your child’s viral illness.
Determining the Illness:
- Flu symptoms include: fever above 100.4°F, chills, a dry/hacking cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea.
- RSV is similar to the common cold, but can be serious for infants and those who have asthma. More serious symptoms include wheezing and difficulty breathing.
For more information, check out these resources:
COVID is usually mild in most children. The most common symptoms are a cough and a fever. Identifying even mild infection is important for proper quarantining and making adult contacts aware.
When to treat your child at home
While having any of these illnesses can be miserable, 9 times out of 10, home treatment is appropriate.
The main treatment is supportive care comprised of:
- Rest
- Plenty of fluids
- Fever and body ache medicine such as Tylenol or Motrin (6 months and above)
- Nasal saline and suction
- Elevating the head
- Humidifier
- Honey - for 1 year old and older
- Cough drops and lozenges - for 4 years old and older
- Mentholated rubs - for 2 years old and older
- OTC cold medicines – (This video offers good advice.)
- Asthma medicines for asthmatics
- Chicken soup
Vaccinations, even for those who have already gotten sick with the flu or COVID, may help prevent them from getting re-infected.
When to call the office
Together, we can determine if your child needs an appointment. Not all do. Call if your child has respiratory symptoms and:
- Is under 3 months old and has a fever of 100.4°F or more
- Has any fever that’s not responding to fever medicine
- Has moderate respiratory symptoms such as retractions, persistent fast breathing, or wheezing -- check out the Cleveland Clinic video, Healthy Children website page and A Parent’s Guide to Managing Viral Illnesses section on respiratory distress
- Looks more sick than expected or is not looking even a little better after the fever comes down –
- Was getting better but now is getting worse again
- Has already been sick for several days and is getting worse or just not getting better
- Has health problems such as asthma, diabetes and disorders of the brain or nervous system (these can contribute to complications)
Prevention
Vaccines developed specifically for the flu and COVID can often prevent infections or reduce symptoms.
We recommend that everyone get vaccinated including those who have already had the flu or COVID, because it may help prevent them from getting re-infected.
Prescription medicines like Tamiflu are available for high-risk patients with the flu, but should be given within the first 2 days of illness. These anti-viral meds may make the illness shorter and milder and may prevent serious complications. However, they are currently in short supply. Remember, antibiotics will not work on viral infections!
