Ear, paranasal sinuses and bronchi: these are the sites where complications of influenza most often occur in children. They are usually not very serious, although they require specific attention.
In the vast majority of cases, the flu, even in children, resolves without any particular consequences.
This applies especially to children who are not too young and for those who do not have other disorders.
The smaller ones, on the other hand, represent a category considered at risk of complications, and require specific care. Especially newborns, whose immune system is not yet fully developed.
The most frequent complications among children are otitis and bronchitis, which are generally not particularly dangerous; Less common are croup, i.e. an obstruction of the larynx, febrile seizures and pneumonia.
The most serious, but fortunately very rare, are those involving the central nervous system, such as Reye’s Syndrome or encephalitis.
Post flu otitis
In young children and young people, otitis media is one of the most frequent complications. It presents with local pain and fever, sometimes accompanied by leakage of serum from the ear and temporary hearing loss.
The little ones may have difficulty explaining to their parents the origin of the pain, but they often have typical attitudes, such as pulling the ear, associated with irritability, crying, difficulty falling asleep.
Inspection of the ear by the pediatrician can confirm the presence of otitis and, in cases of bacterial infection, antibiotic treatment will be prescribed.
Croup and you are left breathless
The word “croup” indicates an acute infection involving the larynx, trachea and bronchi and is manifested by difficulty breathing, hoarse and dry cough and a shrill sound during inspiration.
It is the swelling and edema caused by inflammation that obstructs the passage of air.
The viral form usually strikes before the age of three and typically improves with inhalation of warm, moist air via aerosols.
Febrile convulsions, terrible but not dangerous
They can appear as a reaction to fever, especially at the beginning of an infectious disease, in children under the age of six and with particularly excitable nervous systems.
They can last as long as a few minutes and the child can sometimes lose consciousness. At the end of the episode usually appears a deep drowsiness.
Febrile seizures, although very shocking to parents, are usually not dangerous and have no repercussions on the health of the child. Just be careful to rule out other causes (such as meningitis or encephalitis).
Since they are caused by fever, the temperature in children should always be lowered, even when it is not very high.
And if convulsions appear, you have to uncover the child and apply something cool (ice bag, wet towels) on the forehead and neck. Only when the convulsion has ceased can paracetamol be administered.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
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