The pediatrician explained the difference in flu tolerance between children and adults

The same viral infection can cause an adult to have only a runny nose and slight weakness, while a child can have a high fever, vomiting, and severe malaise. Children suffer from acute respiratory viral infections and flu differently due to the age-related characteristics of the immune system and narrower airways, and self-medication with adult medications can be dangerous. Ulyana Markova, a pediatrician and an expert at the Hemotest Laboratory, told Izvestia about this on October 27.

"In children, viral infections often begin with a sharp increase in temperature, lethargy, and refusal to eat. At the same time, the child cannot always explain what exactly is bothering him. Therefore, it is important for parents to pay attention not only to the thermometer readings, but also to the general condition of the baby," the pediatrician explained.

According to her, in young children, the immune system is just learning to recognize pathogens, and the body is encountering many viruses for the first time, so the disease can be more pronounced. In addition, the airways of babies are narrower than those of adults, and even a small swelling of the mucous membrane can noticeably impede the passage of air — hence noisy breathing and shortness of breath.

The flu, unlike many other acute respiratory viral infections, often begins suddenly: the temperature rises rapidly, severe weakness, headache and muscle pain appear, and in children it is sometimes accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea. Children under the age of five, especially those under two, are at increased risk of complications such as pneumonia, middle ear inflammation, dehydration, and in rare cases, damage to the nervous system.

One of the main mistakes of parents is trying to treat a child with the same drugs that help adults. Many medications have age restrictions, and the dosage depends on body weight.

Self-administration of antibiotics, the use of several combined cold remedies at the same time, and the uncontrolled use of antipyretics are especially dangerous: antibiotics do not act on viruses, and drugs with a similar composition can lead to an overdose of the same substance.

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In case of viral infections, aspirin should not be used to lower the temperature. Its use is associated with the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious condition in which the liver and brain function are disrupted.

"There is no need to do everything possible to reduce the temperature to 36.6 °C. It is more important to assess the child's well-being: whether he can drink, whether he is breathing normally, whether he remains active. Antipyretics are used taking into account age, body weight and condition, and not just the numbers on the thermometer," Markova emphasized.

With a mild course of acute respiratory viral infections, a child usually has enough rest, drink, a comfortable air temperature and means to relieve symptoms. But there are situations when home treatment is not enough. You need to call an ambulance immediately if the child finds it difficult to breathe, his lips turn bluish, cramps appear, or he stops reacting normally to others, especially if he does not wake up when trying to wake up. An alarming sign is a rash that does not disappear when pressed on the skin, especially against the background of fever.

Emergency care is required for infants under three months of age at temperatures of 38 °C and above. Regardless of age, a visit to the doctor should not be postponed if the child hardly drinks, urinates noticeably less often, the tongue has become dry, there are no tears during crying or frequent vomiting.

An examination is necessary if, after improvement, the condition worsens again, ear pain appears, or fever persists for several days. If you suspect the flu, especially in children at risk, it is important to contact a pediatrician as early as possible: antiviral treatment is most effective in the first two days of the disease.

"The main rule for parents is not to try to diagnose individual symptoms on their own. Conditions that require other treatment are sometimes disguised as a common cold. The younger the child, the more attentive you need to be to changes in his well—being," concluded the pediatrician.

The head of Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova, announced on September 24 that the peak incidence of influenza in Russia in the current epidemiological season is expected during the New Year holidays. According to her, the increase in infection activity traditionally continues in mid-January. It was clarified that the dates may shift slightly to the last decade of December, depending on the types of virus circulating. Popova also called for vaccination in advance, so that immunity could be formed by the beginning of the rise in the incidence.