See the KidsHealth page on flu immunisation [1]
Influenza, commonly called 'the flu', is an infection caused by the influenza virus. It affects the nose, throat, lungs and other parts of the body. The flu can be a serious and sometimes life-threatening infection. It infects many people every year, mostly during the winter months in New Zealand.
Flu in tamariki usually causes at least 2 or 3 of the following symptoms:
Sometimes people confuse a cold with the flu. But with the flu, people are generally more unwell and flu symptoms may last longer.
Occasionally, flu can cause serious illness. This depends on the type of virus and a child's age and general health. The flu can be more serious in tamariki who also have a long-lasting (chronic) disease. Your doctor can give you more advice if your child has one of these conditions.
The flu virus is very easy to catch and can affect anyone - it doesn't matter how fit and healthy your child is.
It can spread through the air by coughing and sneezing as well as by hands, cups and other objects that have been in contact with an infected person's mouth or nose.
Flu immunisation offers the best protection.
Find out about flu immunisation [1]
You can also reduce the risk of catching the flu by washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning surfaces and staying away from others who are sick.
Wash hands
Make sure everyone in your family washes their hands often and thoroughly, including (but not only) before preparing food and eating. Make sure everyone dries them well too. Soap and water for 20 seconds, then 20 seconds drying. Or use a hand sanitiser.
Cover coughs and sneezes
Cough or sneeze into your elbow or cover your mouth and nose with tissues. Put used tissues in the bin or a bag immediately and then wash and dry hands.
Clean surfaces
Regularly clean surfaces in the bathroom and the kitchen.
Stay away from people who are sick
Keep away from people who are sick.
If your child becomes sick, keep them at home and don't send them to school or daycare until they are well.
If you become sick - stay at home, don't go to work.
Most tamariki fight off the infection by themselves.
Antibiotics are not helpful for the flu and your doctor won't prescribe them unless your child also has a bacterial infection.
Never give your child or young person aspirin as this may increase the risk of Reye syndrome, which is a rare and serious illness.
Continue with your child's usual medicines (such as those for asthma, diabetes and epilepsy).
If your child is miserable because of fever or aches and pains, you can give paracetamol to make them more comfortable. You must follow the dosage instructions on the bottle. It is dangerous to give more than the recommended dose.
Read about fever in children [2]
Give your child regular fluids.
Use saltwater drops (saline) to treat a stuffy nose - ask your pharmacist or family doctor for instructions.
Keep your child at home and resting until they are well.
Contact your doctor if you think your child has the flu and:
You should see a doctor urgently if your child of any age:
Check out the signs that show your child might be struggling to breathe [3]
Dial 111 within New Zealand for urgent medical help (use the appropriate emergency number in other countries) if your child:
Autism Speaks in the USA have produced 'Everyone gets sick sometimes' (PDF, 1.23MB) [5], an online book for children.
Illustration by Dr Greta File. Property of KidsHealth.
This page last reviewed 17 May 2021.
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Links
[1] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/flu-immunisation
[2] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/fever
[3] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/signs-children-are-struggling-breathe
[4] http://www.kidshealth.org.nz/node/95#block_516
[5] https://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/flu_teaching_story_final%20%281%29.pdf
[6] https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/contact?from=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kidshealth.org.nz%2Fprint%2F410%3Flanguage%3Dzh-hant