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Flu (Influenza)
Flu (or influenza) is a viral infection that tends to be more common in the colder months of the year. It spreads easily through people sneezing and coughing. Rates of flu are extremely high this winter.
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. This not only reduces the risk of them 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.
Why get vaccinated
Getting vaccinated can prevent you and others from becoming seriously ill and needing hospital treatment, if you get Covid-19 or flu.
You will also be helping to slow the spread of these viruses throughout the wider community, which will help to protect elderly and vulnerable people.
By looking after yourself and getting vaccinated you will be supporting our local medical services, which will be under great pressure during the winter months.
Get vaccinated and join Hounslow’s Best Defenders | London Borough of Hounslow
How to get vaccinated
You can book your appointments for flu vaccinations on NHS national booking sites.
You can also book an appointment through your GP, by dropping into participating local pharmacies or walk-in centres, or via Hounslow’s Health Outreach Team. Find more information on all of these options here:
If your child has any of the following:
- Is pale, mottled and feels abnormally cold to touch
- Has blue lips
- Severe breathing difficulty - too breathless to talk or eat/drink
- Has a fit/ seizure
- Is extremely agitated (crying inconsolably despite distraction), confused or very lethargic (difficult to wake)
- Has a rash that does not disappear with pressure (the ‘Glass Test’)
You need urgent help.
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999
If your child has any of the following:
- Is finding it hard to breathe
- Seems dehydrated (sunken eyes, drowsy or not passed urine for 12 hours)
- Is drowsy (excessively sleepy) or irritable (unable to settle them with toys, TV, food or picking up) – especially if they remain drowsy or irritable despite their fever coming down
- Has extreme shivering or complains of muscle pain
- Has had chickenpox in the past few days and is now getting more unwell with a high fever and spreading red rash
- Swelling of a limb or joint
- Too painful for your child to stand
- Has a swollen eye
- Complaining of severe pain that is not improving with painkillers
- Is 3-6 months of age with a temperature of 39°C / 102.2°F or above (but fever is common in babies up to 2 days after they receive vaccinations)
- Continues to have a fever of 38.0°C or more for more than 5 days
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.
Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111
If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not developed any red features.
If none of the above features are present
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 – click here.
Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, speak to your health visitor, local pharmacist or call NHS 111– dial 111
Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home. They can go back to school, college or childcare when they no longer have a high temperature, and they are well enough to attend.
This guidance was last reviewed 20/12/2024.
What should you do?
-
If you child is over 2 months of age and seems uncomfortable or in pain, you can give them paracetamol. Ibuprofen can also be given if needed to children over 3 months of age. Do not give paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same time. You need to stagger these medications (unless your child's doctor or nurse gives you different instructions).
-
Always check the label for the correct dose for your child's age and do not exceed the maximum dose. If unsure contact your pharmacist for further advice. If symptoms persist or worsen or if medication is required for more than 1 day contact NHS 111 or a GP.
- Avoid tepid sponging your child – it doesn’t actually reduce your child’s temperature and may cause your child to shiver.
- Encourage them to drink plenty of fluids – sugary fluids such as juice are best if they are not eating.
- Cough medicines don’t usually work but children over 1 year can have a spoonful of honey dissolved in a warm drink half an hour before bedtime to sooth their throat to reduce coughing at night.
- Ensure good hand hygiene – dispose of tissues and regularly wash hand with soap and water.
How long will my child’s symptoms last?
Symptoms often start quite suddenly and generally last 3-5 days. However symptoms such as cough can last up to two weeks.
When can my child go back to school / nursery?
Children and young people with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their education setting. However, if your child has a high temperature or is unwell, they should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can. They can go back to school or childcare and resume normal activities when they no longer have a high temperature and if they feel well enough to attend.
For wear and tear, minor trips and everything in between.
Self-care
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.
Sound advice
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?
For wear and tear, minor trips and everything in between.
Self-care
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.
Sound advice
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 can offer advice on a range of illnesses, such as a coughs and colds, sore throats, ear infections. They can also give advice about medicines, this includes how to use your medicine and any worries about side effects. 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.
Sound advice
- Visit a pharmacy if your child is ill, but does not need to see a GP.
- Remember that if your child's condition gets worse, you should seek further medical advice immediately.
- Help your child to understand - watch this video with them about going to the pharmacy.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
Pharmacists can offer advice on a range of illnesses, such as a coughs and colds, sore throats, ear infections. They can also give advice about medicines, this includes how to use your medicine and any worries about side effects. 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.
Sound advice
- Visit a pharmacy if your child is ill, but does not need to see a GP.
- Remember that if your child's condition gets worse, you should seek further medical advice immediately.
- Help your child to understand - watch this video with them about going to the pharmacy.
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, for hearing or vision concerns they can refer you 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.
Sound advice
Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:
- Breastfeeding, weaning and healthy eating
- Exercise, hygiene and safety
- Your child’s growth and development
- Emotional health and wellbeing, including postnatal depression
- Safety in the home
- Stopping smoking
- Contraception and sexual health
- Sleep and behaviour management (including temper tantrums!)
- Toilet training
- Minor illnesses
For more information watch the video: What does a health visitor do?
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, for hearing or vision concerns they can refer you 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.
Sound advice
Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:
- Breastfeeding, weaning and healthy eating
- Exercise, hygiene and safety
- Your child’s growth and development
- Emotional health and wellbeing, including postnatal depression
- Safety in the home
- Stopping smoking
- Contraception and sexual health
- Sleep and behaviour management (including temper tantrums!)
- Toilet training
- Minor illnesses
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.
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.
Sound Advice
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:
- encouraging healthier lifestyles
- offering immunisations
- giving information, advice and support to children, young people and their families
- supporting children with complex health needs
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.
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.
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.
Sound Advice
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:
- encouraging healthier lifestyles
- offering immunisations
- giving information, advice and support to children, young people and their families
- supporting children with complex health needs
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.
Sound advice
You have a choice of service:
- Doctors/GPs can treat many illnesses that do not warrant a visit to A&E.
- Help your child to understand – watch this video with them about visiting the GP or going to a walk in centre
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
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.
Sound advice
You have a choice of service:
- Doctors/GPs can treat many illnesses that do not warrant a visit to A&E.
- Help your child to understand – watch this video with them about visiting the GP or going to a walk in centre
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 to the best service for in your area.
Sound advice
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?
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 to the best service for in your area.
Sound advice
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.
Sound advice
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.