Question
My child has had a fever of 38.6 degrees for two consecutive nights, and they are fine during the day. They have a cough with phlegm and occasionally have a runny nose. We’ve given them children’s paracetamol, chlorphenamine, and amoxicillin. Is this the flu?
Answer
Influenza typically begins with symptoms like fever, headache, muscle pain, and general discomfort, with temperatures reaching 39-40°C. There may be chills and shivering, along with widespread muscle and joint pain, fatigue, decreased appetite, and symptoms such as sore throat and mild cough. There may also be nasal congestion, runny nose, and discomfort behind the sternum. The child’s symptoms are likely due to a simple viral infection, and there is no need to take amoxicillin. Offer plenty of fluids and use oral ibuprofen suspension for fever reduction and treatment.