Flu (or influenza) is a viral infection that tends to be more common in the colder months of the year. Most people catch flu in the winter as it spreads easily through people sneezing and coughing.
Flu is very different to having a cold. Some people say they have flu when they mean they have a cold or another viral infection. Both can have similar symptoms, and it can be hard to tell the difference.
Flu symptoms tend to come on quickly, but a cold can take a few days. With flu, for example, you can wake up feeling ok, but by the end of the day you can feel unwell and not able to do your usual things. Flu can make you feel unwell for up to two weeks.
Symptoms in children include fever, cough, sneezing, runny nose, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and sore throat.
All children aged 2-13 years are encouraged to have the flu vaccine each winter. If you are pregnant it's also really important to consider getting the flu vaccine. This not only reduces the risk of getting unwell with the flu but also reduces the risk of them transmitting it to family members. After the elderly (aged over 75 years), children under the age of 5 years have the greatest risk of being admitted to hospital with flu.
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999
Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111
If your child has any other symptoms associated with their fever, you may want to look at the information on sore throat, cough, earache, diarrhoea and vomiting or tummy ache.
Additional advice is also available to young families for coping with crying of well babies.
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, call NHS 111 – dial 111
The flu can lead to a lung infection called pneumonia. In some cases, the flu can lead to death. Children who have other health conditions that affect breathing, such as asthma, are at greater risk for flu complications. This is why it is so important to have your vaccination.
Flu easily spread to other people. You're more likely to give it to others in the first 5 days.
Flu is spread by germs from coughs and sneezes, which can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours.
To reduce the risk of spreading flu:
Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities.
For more information on Fever (over 3 months of age) visit our page.
We also have a page on fever and high temperature for newborn babies.
The NHS website has useful information on looking after a child with flu, how to find a pharmacist, and the importance of the flu vaccine.
You can treat your child's very minor illnesses and injuries at home.
Some illnesses can be treated in your own home with support and advice from the services listed when required, using the recommended medicines and getting plenty of rest.
Children can recover from illness quickly but also can become more poorly quickly; it is important to seek further advice if a child's condition gets worse.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don’t need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call. Your pharmacist will say if you need further medical attention.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
Health visitors are nurses or midwives who are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing illness through the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme. They work with you through your pregnancy up until your child is ready to start school.
Health Visitors can also make referrals for you to other health professionals for example hearing or vision concerns or to the Community Paediatricians or to the child and adolescent mental health services.
Contact them by phoning your Health Visitor Team or local Children’s Centre.
Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:
For more information watch the video: What does a health visitor do?
School nurses care for children and young people, aged 5-19, and their families, to ensure their health needs are supported within their school and community. They work closely with education staff and other agencies to support parents, carers and the children and young people, with physical and/or emotional health needs.
Contacting the School Nurse
Primary and secondary schools have an allocated school nurse – telephone your child’s school to ask for the contact details of your named school nurse.
There is also a specialist nurse who works with families who choose to educate their children at home.
Before your child starts school your health visitor will meet with the school nursing team to transfer their care to the school nursing service. The school nursing team consists of a school nursing lead, specialist public health practitioners and school health staff nurses.
They all have a role in preventing disease and promoting health and wellbeing, by:-
Each member of the team has links with many other professionals who also work with children including community paediatricians, child and adolescent mental health teams, health visitors and speech and language therapists. The school health nursing service also forms part of the multi-agency services for children, young people and families where there are child protection or safeguarding issues.
GPs assess, treat and manage a whole range of health problems. They also provide health education, give vaccinations and carry out simple surgical procedures. Your GP will arrange a referral to a hospital specialist should you need it.
You have a choice of service:
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, call 111. An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.
Use NHS 111 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.