Signs & Symptoms of the Flu in Toddlers
Toddlers contract the seasonal flu at the same rate as older children and adults, but children under age 2 experience higher rates of hospitalization than other age groups, according to BabyCenter's Medical Advisory board. Most toddlers will endure the flu -- short for influenza, a type of viral illness -- without serious complications, but some children require antiviral medications.
Fever
According to the Mayo Clinic, fever occurs suddenly and can reach as high as 103 to 105 degrees F in children. The fever often accompanied by a flushed face, and your toddler also might experience chills and complain about feeling cold.
Pediatrician and child development expert Dr. William Sears notes that in cases of flu, as with most other viral infections, the fever can go up and down frequently, with your child feeling better or worse with its fluctuations. In more serious infections, the fever will stay consistently high and your child will continually seem ill and lethargic.
Exhaustion
A toddler who has the flu often exhibits a pronounced lack of energy and wants to sleep or lie down frequently. Their fatigue might make them irritable or cranky, as well as uncooperative and prone to tantrums.
Body or Muscle Aches
In a toddler, body or muscle aches might lead him to tell you that certain body parts hurt him, especially his back or arms. These "whole body" symptoms often begin to subside two to four days into the child's illness, according to pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene of DrGreene.com.
Headache
The high fever can cause a headache, and your toddler might hold her head and cry about the pain. While the flu usually causes a mild to moderate headache, seek immediate medical advice if your child experiences a severe headache accompanied by a stiff, painful neck (which he will not turn or move) and persistent vomiting. These symptoms could indicate meningitis, a serious infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord.
Runny Nose and Congestion
In cases of the flu, you will likely notice that congestion and a runny nose often follow the fever, headaches and body aches. If your toddler experiences these respiratory symptoms before onset of fever, the BabyCenter medical advisory board suggests your toddler might be experiencing a cold or other illness instead of the flu.
Dry Cough
A dry, hacking cough will be the most noticeable of your toddler's respiratory symptoms, and your child will likely develop a sore, red throat as well. Offer your child 1 tsp. of honey, a natural remedy that will help soothe and coat her throat.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Your toddler might experience a loss of appetite and be reluctant to eat or might consume a small amount of food compared with his normal amount. She also might experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, which are common flu symptoms in children, according to the Mayo Clinic. Make sure your toddler drinks fluids and sucks on Popsicles to stay hydrated, because dehydration can be a serious complication of gastrointestinal illnesses.
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