Influenza is an acute disease of the respiratory system caused by influenza viruses (A, B, C) and can cause mild to very severe illness. Most people get over the flu without complications, but people in high-risk groups, such as children, are at greater risk for serious complications from the flu.
Seasonal flu first starts to appear during the autumn months (September - October - November), as pediatrician Nikos Makridis informs us. As he tells Newsbomb: "It usually occurs in the first months of Autumn and later in Winter, when there is a crowd in the classrooms and generally large gatherings of people."
Symptoms and complications
The symptoms of the flu, says Mr. Makridis, are fever, severe cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, dizziness, headaches and abdominal pain.
Note that the common cold, due to the fact that its symptoms are similar, is often confused with the flu. The symptoms of the common cold, however, are usually milder, limited to the upper respiratory tract (runny nose, sneezing, sore throat), last less and rarely lead to complications.
On the contrary, the flu can cause serious illness and complications, as the pediatrician tells us: “Seasonal flu lowers the immune system of children by consuming some antibodies, they make the child more vulnerable, more immunosuppressed body, thus putting one at risk. second year to make microbial infections. "Bacterial infections are caused by germs, such as pneumonia, meningitis and skin infections."
Preventive measures
Regarding prevention measures to prevent the flu, the pediatrician recommends:
- Avoiding sick patients / children
- Good hand washing
- Ventilation of spaces
- Consumption of liquids and fruits / vegetables
Vaccination should also be given, says the pediatrician: "It is important to get the vaccination on time (certainly before December, before the flu movement comes) but also all the other vaccines that are necessary for children, such as chickenpox or meningitis, etc. ”
Of course, it is also important to follow the basic hygiene principles that generally help prevent viruses.
Advice to parents if the child gets sick
Mr. Makridis advises parents to inform their pediatrician immediately if the child shows symptoms: “If the parent becomes ill, the child must inform the pediatrician and he will understand the seriousness of the condition. If the child has a slight nasal congestion for example, the parent can give antipyretics but if the child vomits, faints, is pale, chills, coughs heavily then you go to the pediatrician and he will decide if to give treatment and what treatment. We do not do what the internet says, neither the pharmacist nor the parent act on their own. ”
Protecting other people
In case the child becomes ill he should stay home and avoid closed spaces and close contact with others due to the easy transmission of the flu.
Source: newsbomb