10 Things to Do for the Flu

Oh, how bothersome it is when your little one has such a cold. Since my daughter Robin started attending daycare, she has been catching colds frequently. After long periods of continuous colds, coughing fits, and lethargy, I sometimes wonder: Is my child just having a cold, or have we entered the flu phase?

Difference between a cold and the flu
A severe cold can easily be mistaken for the flu. However, there is indeed a difference. A child can be quite ill with the flu. A child with the flu is tired, weak, sometimes shivery, feverish (sometimes rising above 40 degrees), has a headache, and may have a dry or sore throat. A cold often starts with a runny nose, followed by a sore throat, headache, and sometimes muscle pain. With a cold, usually only the mucous membranes in the nose, throat, or sinuses are inflamed.

Treatment
You really need to let the flu run its course. To help your child as best as possible, the following tips are important:
1. Ensure sufficient rest
2. Do not dress your child too warmly. Also, do not overdress in bed due to fever
3. Ensure sufficient hydration; with a blocked nose, it can sometimes be difficult for a baby to drink properly. In this case, it is advisable to buy a saline solution for your baby. You can get drops or a nasal spray specifically for babies at the pharmacy
4. Paracetamol can provide relief for fever and pain. Consult the package insert for the correct dosage
5. Regularly ventilate living and sleeping areas

Prevention tips
The flu virus is present in the throat, nose, and airways of someone who is sick or infected. The flu is transmitted by coughing, sneezing, talking, and shaking hands.

1. Cover your mouth with your hand or a (paper) tissue when you sneeze/cough and make sure to dispose of it immediately after use
2. Regularly wash your child's and your own hands with water, soap, or antibacterial hand gel. The alcohol in the hand gel affects the virus and makes it inactive, preventing the transmission of the virus
3. Avoid touching your child's mouth, nose, or eyes as much as possible
4. Cough and sneeze into the elbow
5. Keep the house clean. Pay particular attention to the following items: toys and stuffed animals, door handles, light switches, faucets, and stairs.

Stay home if you are sick. If you recover from the flu properly the first time, you are more likely to get back on your feet quickly.

Wishing you lots of strength!