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The drugs that are generally prescribed for the treatment of influenza in children are analgesics, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and/or antihistamines, which must be used according to the pediatrician's guidance and are intended to function to relieve symptoms such as body, throat and headache pain, fever, nasal congestion, runny nose or cough, for example.
In addition, rest is also very important, as well as the intake of liquids and foods rich in water, which help prevent dehydration and favor a faster recovery of the child.
The remedies that may be indicated by the pediatrician to treat the flu in children may vary according to the symptoms presented, and may be indicated:
1. Fever and chills
Fever is a very common symptom of the flu and can be relieved with antipyretic drugs such as paracetamol, dipyrone or ibuprofen, whose pediatrician's recommended way of use can be:
- Paracetamol (Cymegripe baby and child): This medicine should be administered in drops or syrup, every 6 hours, and the dose to be administered depends on the weight of the child. See what are the dosages of Cimegripe for children and babies.
- Dipyrone (Infant Novalgina): Dipyrone can be given in drops, syrup or suppository every 6 hours to children and infants from 3 months of age. The dose to be administered also depends on the child's weight.
- Ibuprofen (Alivium): Ibuprofen can be given to children from 6 months of age and should be given every 6 to 8 hours, with the administer should be appropriate for the child's weight. See the dosage of drops and oral suspension.
In addition to pharmacological treatment, there are other measures that can help relieve the child's discomfort, such as removing excess clothing, bathing with warm water and offering liquids, for example.
2. Body, head and throat pain
In some cases, the flu can cause headache, sore throat and muscle pain, which can be relieved with the same drugs used to treat fever, which in addition to antipyretic properties, also have analgesic action, such as paracetamol, dipyrone or ibuprofen.
If the child has a sore throat, you can also use a spray, with antiseptic and analgesic action, such as Flogoral or Neopiridin, for example, which must be administered locally, but only in children over 6 years of age.
3. Cough
Cough is one of the common symptoms of the flu and can be dry or discharged. In the case of coughing up phlegm, hydration is more advisable than medication, as they can cause undesirable side effects.
The use of antitussives is usually not recommended for children, as coughing is a defense mechanism of the body to eliminate secretions. However, there are medications that are indicated in very specific cases by the doctor. Some of these medications are:
- Ambroxol (Pediatric Mucosolvan), which can be given 2 to 3 times a day, in syrup or drops, in children over 2 years of age;
- Acetylcysteine (Pediatric Fluimucil), which can be administered 2 to 3 times a day, in syrup, in children over 2 years of age;
- Bromhexine (Bisolvon Children), which can be administered 3 times a day, in syrup or drops, in children over 2 years of age.
- Dropropizine (Atossion Pediatric, Notuss Pediatric), indicated for children from 2 years of age and which can be administered up to 4 times a day in a dose that varies according to age of the child;
- Levodropropizine (Antux), indicated for children from 2 years of age and which can be administered up to 3 times a day in a dose that varies according to the child's weight;
- Clobutinol hydrochloride + doxylamine succinate (Hytos Plus), indicated for children from 2 years of age and which can be administered up to 3 times a day in a dose that varies from according to the age of the child and the form of the medication, that is, whether in drops or syrup.
It is important that the medicine is prescribed by the pediatrician, as it is possible to recommend the most appropriate medicine for the type of cough, age and weight of the child.
4. Nasal congestion
For children with nasal congestion or a runny nose, the doctor may recommend a nasal wash solution, such as Neosoro Infantil or Maresis baby, for example, which help wash the nose and dilute secretions.
If nasal congestion is very severe and causes a lot of discomfort to the baby and child, the doctor may also prescribe nasal decongestants and/or antihistamines, such as:
- Desloratadine (Desalex), which is an antihistamine whose dose may vary according to the age of the child;
- Loratadine (Claritin), which is an antihistamine whose dose varies according to the weight of the child;
- Oxymetazoline (Pediatric Afrin), which is a nasal decongestant that can be given up to twice a day, morning and evening.
Alternatively, the doctor may recommend a medication that has both nasal decongestant and antihistamine actions, such as Decongex Plus oral solution, which can be given to children over 2 years of age and whose dose depends on the child's weight.
