Kids with a flu-like illness may have a fever, a cough, a sore throat, a headache, body aches, and other symptoms. The illness is caused by a virus (a type of germ). It's called "flu-like" because its symptoms are similar to those of influenza ("the flu"), but it may not be caused by the same virus.

Most kids and teens with a flu-like illness feel better within 1 to 2 weeks.

• Give any medicines as directed by your healthcare provider. Give acetaminophen (Tylenol® or a store brand) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand) for a fever, a sore throat, or body aches. Follow the package directions for how much to give and how often.
• Do not give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months old.
• Do not give aspirin to your child or teen. It has been linked to a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome.
• Do not give cough or cold medicines to children under 6 years old, because they can cause bad reactions. Only give these medicines to children over 6 years old if your healthcare provider says it's OK.
• Let your child rest as needed.
• Offer your child plenty of liquids. Babies can continue to breastfeed or take formula.
• To soothe your child's cough:
  • Run a cool-mist humidifier in your child's bedroom. Clean it after each use.
  • If your child is older than 12 months, it's OK to give 1–2 teaspoons of honey at night. If your child is under 12 months old, do not give honey.
  • If your child is older than 6 years, they can try lozenges (cough drops) or hard candy.
• To help with a runny or stuffy nose:
  • Run a cool-mist humidifier in your child's bedroom. Clean it after each use.
  • For babies: Put a few drops of saline (saltwater) into the nose, then gently suction the mucus out with a bulb syringe. Do this no more than 2–3 times a day so that the inside of your baby's nose does not get swollen or sore.
  • For older kids: Give 2 sprays of saline nose spray 3 times a day.
• Your child can return to school and activities when they feel better and haven't had a fever for 24 hours without taking a fever-reducing medicine (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen). Check with your healthcare provider if you're not sure whether your child is ready to return to school and activities.

Your child:

• Has new or worsening symptoms (such as fever, cough, headache, or ear pain)
• Does not feel better in 3–4 days or is getting sicker

Your child:

• Isn't drinking at all or has signs of dehydration, such as a dry or sticky mouth, sunken eyes, less pee or darker pee than usual, little or no tears when crying, or unusual sleepiness
• Has trouble breathing; signs include fast breathing, the muscles pulling in between the ribs, or the nose puffing out with each breath
• Has a stiff neck
• Seems very sleepy or confused

You know your child best. If your child has symptoms that worry you or seems very sick, call your healthcare provider or take your child to the ER.

How does a flu-like illness spread? Viruses that cause flu-like illnesses spread from person to person. They can spread when a person with the virus coughs and/or sneezes the virus into the air and someone else breathes it in. Viruses also can spread when someone touches the virus on another person or a hard surface (such as a doorknob), then touches their own eyes, nose, or mouth.

To help reduce the spread of viruses, teach kids to:

• Sneeze into a tissue, if possible, then throw the tissue away and wash their hands well. If a tissue is not available, they should sneeze into their upper sleeve or inner elbow, not their hands.
• Wash hands well and often with soap and water and scrub for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important after coughing or sneezing, or after having a bowel movement (poop). If soap and water are not available, they can use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Is there a treatment for a flu-like illness? Antiviral medicines are available to treat some types of viruses. Antibiotics will not treat a flu-like illness because it is caused by a virus. Antibiotics work only against bacteria (other types of germs), not viruses.

Should my child still get the flu vaccine? Yes, your child should still get the flu vaccine. A child who gets the flu vaccine still might get the flu, but the illness is likely to be less serious.