For most parents, tips for the flu season include simple things like reminding kids about proper handwashing techniques and keeping everyone home when they’re sick. Parents with children under five and those with kids who have pre-existing lung problems like asthma may have bigger concerns.
Kids in high-risk groups, including young children who have not yet built a strong immune system, have a greater likelihood of developing potentially deadly complications such as pneumonia. Recognizing the difference between the flu and pneumonia lets you get medical help before a situation becomes critical.
Causes of Flu vs. Causes of Pneumonia in Kids
Flu and pneumonia share some similarities in how they make your child feel, but they are two very different conditions requiring different types of diagnostic tests and treatments. Start your list of tips for flu season by learning more about the differences and similarities between influenza and pneumonia.
Understanding Influenza
The flu is a common respiratory illness most children recover from in a few days. The illness is caused by the influenza virus and is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world. An estimated 20–40 million people catch the flu every year in the U.S. alone.
Children under five and those with other pulmonary health conditions are at greater risk for developing serious flu-related complications such as pneumonia.
There are four types of influenza virus — influenza A, B, C, and D. Influenza A and B are the most common and cause the most severe symptoms. These two types of influenza are also the ones that show up seasonally.
The flu is contagious and spread by both direct and indirect contact with the virus. Children may get the flu when someone who is infected spreads droplets into the air or leaves them on surfaces when they sneeze, talk, or cough. The virus moves into the lungs and begins causing symptoms about four days after the initial contact.
The method for infection is why tips for flu season include frequent hand washing. Touching items that have been contaminated with an infected person’s droplets is a quick and easy way to distribute the virus in a classroom or daycare.
Understanding Pneumonia
There are two types of pneumonia — bacterial and viral. Both types are highly contagious and potentially life-threatening, especially to children in high-risk groups. The symptoms are also similar. However, viral pneumonia is often a complication of influenza and is more frequently diagnosed during late fall and winter or “flu season.”
Some of the common causes of bacterial pneumonia include:
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Streptococcus pneumonia
- Group B streptococcus (more common in newborns)
- Group A streptococcus (also causes strep throat)
- Some of the causes of viral pneumonia include:
- Influenza (flu)
- Adenovirus
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Both types of pneumonia are contagious, in a manner of speaking. The term “pneumonia” technically refers to lung inflammation. The actual contagion is the virus or bacteria causing the pneumonia.
Symptoms of the Flu in Children
Children are most at risk for contracting the flu when they haven’t had a flu vaccine and have been around people infected with influenza. While influenza is a respiratory disease, the symptoms can affect almost every part of a child’s body.
Symptoms include:
- Headache and body aches
- Sore throat
- Cough that worsens
- Fatigue
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
Fever is also a common symptom of the flu. If your child has a fever higher than 102°F, seek emergency medical care. Symptoms typically resolve in less than a week, but your child may continue to feel run down for three to four weeks.
Symptoms of Pneumonia in Children
Symptoms of pneumonia can differ from child to child. The cause of the pneumonia may also affect how symptoms present. Symptoms of bacterial and viral pneumonia are generally the same, but bacterial symptoms may present suddenly, while viral symptoms happen more slowly.
Watch for these symptoms of pneumonia in your child:
- Deep, productive cough (large amounts of mucus)
- Pain while coughing
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Chills
- Headache
- Fever
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Excessive crying and fussiness (in babies and toddlers)
- Difficulty breathing
Seek emergency medical care if your child becomes lethargic, has labored breathing, or has a fever over 102°F. A blue tint on fingernails or lips indicates low oxygen levels. Immediate medical care is needed.
Diagnosing and Treating Flu vs. Pneumonia
Flu tests are available, but in most cases, children don’t need diagnostic testing for treatment. Doctors are likely to diagnose based on your child’s symptoms. Treatments don’t “cure” the flu but increase a child’s comfort.
Tips for flu season include keeping acetaminophen or ibuprofen, saline nasal spray, and other comfort measures on hand. Do not give children aspirin.
Children with higher risks for complications may be prescribed antiviral medications such as Tamiflu or Relenza. Speak with your child’s pediatrician about risk factors.
Diagnosing and treating pneumonia can be more complicated. Your pediatrician may recommend several diagnostic tests, including:
- Blood tests
- Chest CT scan or chest X-ray
- Bronchoscopy
- Sputum culture
- Pleural fluid culture
Viruses don’t respond to antibiotics, but antibiotics may be prescribed for bacterial pneumonia. Antiviral medications may be recommended for flu-related pneumonia. Comfort measures like rest, using cough medications, and a cool-mist humidifier may help.
Some cases of pediatric pneumonia require hospitalization. During hospitalization, oxygen therapy, IV antibiotics, breathing treatments, and other interventions may be prescribed.
Due to the potentially life-threatening complications of pneumonia, one of the most important tips for flu season is to make sure your child gets vaccinated. Preventing the flu prevents flu-related pneumonia.
Are You Ready for Flu Season?
Influenza is a common seasonal illness that comes and goes without consequence for most children. However, for children under five and those with underlying health risks, influenza is a common cause of pneumonia and can lead to serious complications like trouble breathing.
This flu season, prevention is key. Teach proper handwashing techniques, avoid crowded indoor spaces, and make sure your kids have received a current flu vaccine to help protect their health. Schedule a flu shot at Newport Children’s Medical Group to give your child the best defense against flu-related complications.