Flu is now presenting itself in the Maritimes and the IWK is seeing a large increase in the number of children coming to the Emergency Department with flu-like symptoms. This includes high fever, cough, vomiting, diarrhea and body aches. Most children can manage at home with the flu, but children under five and those with underlying illness are at higher risk for serious illness. Even healthy kids can become quite ill, and flu spreads quickly in schools and child-care settings. We urge everyone to get their flu vaccine to support the health of our community. Families can also take precautions by maintaining proper hand hygiene, staying home when sick, and wearing a mask in crowds and indoor spaces. Most cases of the flu can be managed at home however we recommend a trip to the emergency in the following cases: -Your child is having trouble breathing (for example, they are breathing faster than normal; they are pale; their lips turn white or blue; they are coughing non-stop, or breathing irregularly). -Your infant (under three months old) has a fever over 38°C or 100.4°F. -Your child has a fever over 38°C or 100.4°F for more than 5-7 days in a row. -Your child is feverish and drowsy, and you are having trouble waking them up -Your child has vomiting and/or diarrhea and is not producing tears, has a very dry mouth or has not urinated more than 2-3 times in the last 24 hours
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