Flu symptoms develop in 2-3 days (incubation period) from the moment the virus is contacted. The most common symptoms are:

* Rhinorrhea;
* Nasal congestion;
* Sore throat;
* Cough;
* Fever – can be either low or very high;
* Chills
* General state of fatigue;
* Headache;
* Nausea;
* Lack of appetite;
* Vomiting;
* Diarrhea;
* Abdominal pain.

Symptoms usually worsen in the next 3-5 days, but then gradually improves without treatment.

What is the difference between colds and flu?

While both are viral infections that occur primarily by rhinorrhea, cough and fever, children who have the flu usually feel much worse than people who have colds, and general condition worsens shortly after contacting the virus influenza.

Although antibiotics have no effect in case of flu, there are several things to feel more comfortable and easier:

* Make sure he is resting more than usual. Be careful! Do not let him go to school does not mean you should increase his program to watch television or computer.

* Give him to drink plenty of fluids – water, hot tea, juices. Avoid caffeine-containing soda – Coke, Pepsi – and carbonated.

* If the pain is very strong and the temperature is too high, buy from a pharmacy medicine to relieve pain / temperature.

* To ease breathing, take nasal decongestant – those which are applied locally – spray or nasal drops – are among those which are administered by mouth.

Influenza can lead to various complications. Are very rare cases where the child needs to be hospitalized because of breathing problems or dehydration.

Other complications include secondary bacterial infection – ear infection, sinusitis, bacterial pneumonia.

Do not forget that since the flu is caused by a virus, antibiotics do not have any effect. Antibiotics do not kill influenza virus, they are used to treat infections caused by bacteria. There are some antiviral drugs that can help you feel better than one condition: to be administered within 48 hours after the first signs of disease.

Since the flu is spread through secretions of an infected person, the best way to prevent influenza in children is by hand washing as often as possible. Children need to know:

* To wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet;
* To cover mouth when coughing or sneezing;

For children younger than eight years that have not been previously vaccinated should be given a second dose at an interval of at least 4 weeks.