Influenza

This is a specific illness that is usually severe and usually places even the healthiest of people in bed for several days. It starts with the sudden onset of high fever, shaking chills and severe head and body aches. There may be a severe sore throat. What makes influenza so different from other viral illnesses is that just as you think you are getting better, around the second or third day, the second phase occurs with the same fever, chills and aches and then a severe hacking cough and sometimes vomiting, diarrhea, runny nose and other symptoms. Call out office if your child experiences these symptoms.

A mild case of influenza may look just like a bad cold and can be treated the same way as you would treat a cold. In children who cannot talk, it is often difficult to know when to suspect influenza. Influenza may be suspected during the influenza season (winter and early spring), or if influenza is present in friends or neighbors or especially in school or nursery mates and their families. If you or your children are sufficiently ill to be forced to be bed ridden by these symptoms, see your physician.