Flu - How many days should a child stay at home? Check when a child can go outside and return to kindergarten after the flu

Flu is a viral disease that can effectively exclude a toddler from everyday activities. Concerned parents on many internet forums ask how long does a fever last with flu, is it normal for a toddler's body temperature to be very high?

In this article, we answer how many days a child should stay at home after the flu, how long a fever can last, and when to go outside after the flu to minimize the risk of complications from the disease.

Flu — how many days should a child stay home after being sick?

When it turns out that a child has the flu, parents often wonder, How many days should a child stay at home?

Jolanta Wacławek

Pediatrician in the One-Day Hospitalization Department, Institute of Mother and Child

The expert advises:

As a rule, rest in the comfort of your home should last at least 7-10 days. In the course of the flu, a child needs time to regain full strength. Early returns to activity, such as intensive outdoor play or returning to kindergarten, can delay the recovery process and increase the risk of serious complications.

Doctors on the forum emphasize that the number of days a child should stay at home during the flu also depends on the infectiousness of the disease — a child infected with influenza can transmit the virus for more than 10 days after the first symptoms of the disease appear.

If you have any doubts about how many days your child should stay at home after having the flu, it is worth consulting a pediatrician, especially if you are planning to send your child to a nursery, kindergarten or school.

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When can a child go outside and play outdoors again after the flu?

Another question often asked on parenting discussion forums is when should you take your child outside after the flu?

Signs that a child with the flu is ready for a short walk include:

  • No fever for at least 24 hours,
  • Improved general well-being and lack of fatigue.

Fresh air helps with recovery, but it is important to gradually introduce your toddler to outdoor activities and dress him appropriately for the weather to avoid overheating. Additionally, Let's avoid large groups of children, e.g. on playgrounds, so that the child does not infect others and does not expose himself to potential contact with other pathogens.

To sum up – when can a child go outside after the flu? If there is no fever and you feel well enough, usually after 3-5 days.

how long does a fever last in children with the flu forum

How Long Does a Flu Fever Last in Children – What Should Parents Prepare for?

How long does a fever last in children with the flu? In the case of the flu, Fever appears suddenly, often reaching very high values, up to 40°C in the first hours of the illness. For this reason, on many internet forums for parents, concerned caregivers often look for an answer to the question of how long a fever lasts in children with the flu.

Jolanta Wacławek

Pediatrician in the One-Day Hospitalization Department, Institute of Mother and Child

The expert advises:

The fever usually lasts 3 to 5 days, but in about 20% of people it may persist longer, up to 7 to 10 days. If the fever is difficult to bring down or if additional, worrying symptoms occur, such as: seizures or impaired consciousness, especially in infants, you should contact your doctor immediately.

Now that we know how long a fever lasts in children with the flu and how many days a toddler should stay at home, it is worth mentioning the role of prevention of this dangerous viral disease.

Flu in children — how to minimize the risk of serious complications?

In the case of influenza in children, prevention is extremely important, including regular vaccinations, which are worth discussing with your pediatrician. Influenza vaccination is an effective way to reduce the risk of illness and the serious complications that can occur, especially in young children.

How many days at home after the flu — remember that returning to a facility such as a nursery or kindergarten should not happen too soon, because the child's body needs time to regenerate after the illness.

Ensuring a healthy, well-balanced diet and hydration for your child, as well as a sufficiently long recovery period, are key elements that will allow for a quick return to full strength and reduce the risk of complications from flu.

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Bibliography:
Recommendations for the management of influenza in children for primary care physicians – "KOMPAS GRYPA" (accessed on 20.12.2024/2020/09): https://ptmr.info.pl/wp-content/uploads/2019/XNUMX/KOMPAS-grypa-u-dzieci-XNUMX.pdf

Medical consultation

Jolanta Wacławek

Pediatrician in the One-Day Hospitalization Department, Institute of Mother and Child

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