Parents, please check out these tips for children's flu

During the influenza epidemic season every year, the influenza infection rate among children is 20-30%, and in certain high-epidemic seasons the annual infection rate can be as high as around 50%.
Children under 5 years old are at higher risk of severe illness and hospitalization after being infected with influenza virus. Flu epidemics can also cause a large number of school-age children to miss school, causing social and economic burdens. Many parents are also very concerned about children's flu-related issues. Today, let's talk about some tips for children's flu.

Epidemiology of influenza in children <br /> Source of infection: influenza patients; latently infected persons.
Transmission route: transmission through droplets of respiratory secretions; direct or indirect contact with mucous membranes such as the mouth, nose, and eyes.
Incubation period: 1-4 days; the disease is contagious from the end of the incubation period to the acute phase of the disease.

Clinical manifestations of influenza in children <br /> Influenza in children usually starts suddenly. The main symptom is fever, which can be as high as 39-40℃, accompanied by chills and shivering. It is often accompanied by headache, body muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, and often accompanied by cough, sore throat, runny nose or nasal congestion, nausea, vomiting, etc.
The clinical symptoms of influenza in infants and young children are often atypical.
Neonatal influenza is rare, but it may be complicated by pneumonia or even symptoms of sepsis, such as lethargy, refusal to feed, and apnea.

Differential diagnosis of influenza and common cold

Flu treatment for children

Symptomatic treatment: Children with high fever can be cooled physically and treated with antipyretic drugs. Children with severe cough and sputum can be given antitussive and expectorant drugs. Oxygen therapy should be given in an appropriate manner according to the degree of hypoxia. Antiviral treatment: Children with severe illness or high risk factors for severe influenza should start anti-influenza virus drug treatment as soon as possible within 48 hours of onset. Early treatment can achieve better clinical results, but antiviral drug treatment 48 hours after the onset of flu-like symptoms also has certain clinical benefits.

Antiviral therapy

Prevention of influenza in children

Flu vaccination <br /> Annual flu vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the flu.
Vaccinating children over 6 months of age with the flu vaccine can significantly reduce the risk of getting the flu and developing serious complications.
Priority vaccination targets: ① Children aged 6 months to 5 years; ② Family members and caregivers of infants under 6 months old.
Notes: ① Children aged 6 months to 8 years who have not received influenza vaccine before need to receive 2 doses for the first vaccination (with an interval of ≥ 4 weeks). Children who have received 1 or more doses of influenza vaccine in the previous epidemic season are recommended to receive 1 dose. ② Children over 8 years old only need 1 dose. ③ It is best to complete vaccination before the end of November.

Influenza drug prevention <br /> For children who meet the indications for preventive medication, it is recommended to take oseltamivir early (as far as possible within 48 hours after exposure) and continue to take the drug until 7-10 days after the last exposure.
For children who fail to receive medication within 48 hours after exposure, preventive medication is still recommended.

Non-drug intervention measures <br /> Wash hands frequently, ventilate frequently, keep warm, and wear a mask.

References
[1] National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Chinese Medical Association Pediatric Branch Respiratory Group. Expert consensus on diagnosis and treatment of influenza in children (2020 edition) [J]. Chinese Journal of Practical Pediatrics, 2020, 35(17): 1281-1288.
[2] Gu Qinglong, Hong Jianguo, Xu Zhengmin. Expert consensus on early identification and diagnosis and treatment of common cold and allergic rhinitis in children[J]. Journal of Clinical Pediatrics, 2017, 35(2): 143-147.
[3] Chen Aihuan, Chen Huizhong, Chen Zhimin, et al. Expert consensus on safe use of respiratory medications in children: medications for colds and fevers[J]. Chinese Journal of Practical Pediatrics, 2009, 24(6): 442-446.
[4]Cowling BJ,Perera RA,Fang VJ,et al.Incidence of infiuenza virus infections in children in Hong Kong in a 3-year randomized placebo-controlled vaccine study,2009-2012[J].Clin Infect Dis,2014,59(4):517-524.

Contributor: Pharmacy Department Author: Chief Pharmacist Reviewer: Chief Pharmacist Sun Yanyan Chief Pharmacist Yu He