One of my 4-year-old twins was diagnosed with the flu on Tuesday. We didn't make it to the pediatrician's office in time for him to be diagnosed and prescribed Tamiflu. Can anyone give me advice on getting my child back to his active self? It's been a week since he got sick and he is sleeping all day. I know this is the virus working through his system. Nurse tells me to give tepid baths, alternate Tylenol and Ibuprofen, and let him rest. What else can I do to get him back to active and to increase his appetite?
Thank you!!!
Just a thank you to everyone for the advice. I am doing all that I can to keep him hydrated and letting him eat when he feels like it. I will look for the Immune System Support and will look for probiotics as well. Didn't think about the probiotics because they're so young. Pediatrician's office says it takes 5 to 7 days for the virus to work through the system.
It does take a long time to get over it. I'd expect a week and a half, to be honest.
Good luck and hopes that he doesn't develop any secondary infections. That's ALWAYS a concern...
I don't think there's anything you can do other than let him rest. A week isn't really that long for a nasty virus like influenza. It might take several weeks to get his energy and appetite back. Offer him a lot of liquids and maybe small amounts of his favorite foods. However, if he develops new symptoms, if the fever returns after having been gone without meds, I would call back or take him back in. It's not uncommon to develop secondary infections with or after influenza. Good luck.
A week with the flu isn't really that long; just keep doing what you are doing to help him rest and keep him comfortable. He will get back to normal when his body is ready, you can't rush it.
And I wouldn't waste my money on immune system support. Your immune system cannot be "supported" or "boosted" by some product or vitamin. It doesn't work like that.
ETA:
Ok, you probably realize this but neither fiber nor the stratigec placement of onions throughout your home will speed up the process of getting over the flu. Really people?
Rest, fluids, rest, soup, fever reducers....did I mention rest?
Hope it's over soon. :(
It just has to run it's course.
It's miserable and it can take weeks to get over it completely.
Follow the nurses instructions.
You can also try feeding him chicken soup (home made is best).
Let him rest and keep him hydrated. Make him some chicken soup. Give him some vitamins and probiotics. A week really isn't that long for the flu. When I had a few years back it took a couple of weeks to get over the fatigue and to work up an appetite again. I am normally a healthy eater but couldn't stomach anything more than crackers and fluids. Really resting is the best thing.
Just keep an eye on them. Please take them to the ER if you even think they're getting worse. They are so little....makes me sad. I'm sure you're stressed out with this too.
Rest and lots of fluids...and tylenol/advil to keep the temp down...From past experience (and my son's pediatrician) the fever takes about 5 days w/ the flu(not the usual 3 day rule) to break and then his appetite will come back...If you don't feel he's getting better, take him back to the pedi or go to urgentcare or emergency.. itcould have turned into pneumonia (yuck) and then some antibiotics will help....
I hope he feels better soon...and take care of yourself too!
The Flu is nasty and some end up in the hospital and/or get secondary infections or complications from it, or Pneumonia.
So, keep vigilant and observe him well.
He needs, rest.
Rest/sleep actually aides the body in healing and fighting things off.
I work at a school.
Many of the kids are getting the Flu or Strep.
AND I know some kids, that were out of school for MORE than 1 week. 1 kid was out for 2 weeks. And another got Pneumonia. And these are elementary aged, kids.
You cannot make a kid get over it faster or to increase hunger. It will be over when it is. Each person will be sick at different lengths of time with it.
My son was recently sick. Viral. Fever as well. And he got complications from it. Just from a cold. He is still not fully recovered. And it has been 1 week.
But now that he has complications from it, we have to be more careful about it. At least I am.
Motrin or Tylenol, just eases, the pain or fever. It does not cure, the illness. It does not make it, go away.
It takes most adults 3 full weeks to recover from the flu. When I had it I barely moved for a week. I did go back to work after that first week, but it wasn't myself for a couple of weeks.
The flu is a big deal! It can be very draining,
Fiber will push the bug out faster. If he hasn't had a tummy upset, that would be the first thing I would do. For little ones I use Elderberry for immune support. Elderberry just gives the body ummph to fight off things that aren't supposed to be there. Elderberry is just food so you can't do too much. Running its course is fine but if your little one can feel better sooner...
God bless,
M.
