What is the flu?
Influenza (the flu) is a virus that causes sudden fever, body aches, cough, and tiredness. It spreads easily from person to person. In young children, the flu can become serious quickly. Alaska Native children in rural communities are at higher risk of severe flu complications.
What to watch for at home
- Sudden fever: often high, comes on fast
- Body aches and chills
- Cough: can be dry and harsh
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Tiredness: your child may seem much more tired than usual
- Vomiting or diarrhea: more common in children than adults with flu
- Breathing: watch for faster breathing or working hard to breathe — this can mean flu has moved into the lungs
What you can do at home
- Fluids: push fluids — breast milk, formula, water, broth, diluted juice. Dehydration happens fast in young children
- Rest: keep your child home and resting
- Fever and pain relief: acetaminophen or ibuprofen (children over 6 months) for comfort
- Antiviral medicine: if your provider prescribes oseltamivir (Tamiflu), it works best when started within 48 hours of symptoms — call early
- Keep away from others: flu spreads easily — keep your child away from babies, elderly family members, and anyone with health problems
| Flu moves fast in young children Flu can turn into pneumonia quickly — especially in children under 2 and Alaska Native children. If your child seems to be getting better and then suddenly gets worse, call your provider right away. A second fever after seeming to improve can be a sign of a bacterial infection on top of flu. |
| 📞 Call your provider if: Flu symptoms lasting more than 5 days Fever comes back after going away Ear pain (ear infection is common after flu) Your child is not drinking enough fluids You are worried about how they look | 🚨 Go to the ER immediately if: Fast or difficult breathing Blue or gray color around lips Severe vomiting — can’t keep fluids down Not waking up or very hard to rouse Seizure |