7 Quick Tips to Help You Through This Flu Season

1. No, you’re not overreacting - this flu season really is intense

Hannah is seeing higher fevers, longer recoveries, and truly wiped‑out kids. If your kid is down for the count or taking longer than usual to bounce back, you’re not being dramatic - this year is just a lot.

2. Flu can look a little different for every kid.

Some kids mostly have fever, headache, and major fatigue. Others get brutal sore throats or more tummy troubles like vomiting and diarrhea. Any mix of high fever, respiratory symptoms, body aches, and sometimes GI symptoms can point to a flu‑like illness - whether or not you get an official test.

3. “Treat the child, not just the number” on the thermometer.

A 102°F fever in one kid might look like, "still playing, still drinking," while another is miserable at 101°F and refuses fluids. Hannah pays close attention to behavior and hydration, not just what the thermometer says. If your child is miserable, not drinking, or just "not themselves," that matters as much as the number.

4. When Hannah wants kids seen in person.

Hannah likes to see a child in clinic if:

• There’s a fever lasting more than four days, or fevers not dropping at least a degree with medicine
• You’re seeing signs of dehydration (very low fluid intake and fewer wet diapers/bathroom trips - aim for at least one every 6–8 hours)
• They seem lethargic or "this is not my child’s normal"
• There’s any breathing trouble like working hard to breathe, retractions, or flaring nostrils

When in doubt, it’s always okay to call your pediatric office and ask.

5. Fever medicine is a tool, not a rule.

It’s okay to hold off on Tylenol or Motrin if your child is drinking, somewhat comfortable, and sleeping okay. It’s usually worth giving medicine if they’re really miserable, refusing to drink, or running very high temps (around 104°F or higher), or if your provider has given you a specific plan - especially for kids with a history of febrile seizures. You’re not failing if you decide to treat a fever so everyone can rest.

6. Fluids matter more than food at first.

In the early days of flu, Hannah focuses on what kids are drinking more than what they’re eating. Think watered‑down juice, coconut water, broth, Pedialyte popsicles, regular popsicles, and even old‑school Jell‑O. If all they want is sips and snacks for a bit, that’s okay - hydration is the priority.

7. You’re not alone in the mom guilt.

Rushed bedtimes, extra screen time so you can work, wondering if you should’ve gone to the doctor sooner - Hannah hears all of it from moms in her practice. Her reminder: there are seasons for everything, and this really hard, really sick stretch won’t last forever. The simple basics still help - good sleep, handwashing, a kid‑safe multivitamin, and honey for kids over 1 to soothe coughs - and you’re doing more than you think.

Learn More on Rooted Conversations

• How this flu season compares to past years
• Tamiflu and when it might (or might not) make sense
• Supporting kids emotionally when they’re really sick
• Navigating modern healthcare as a mom
• How Hannah balances starting a practice with being present for her own kids

• Flu Season With Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Hannah Anding on Spotify
• Flu Season With Pediatrician Hannah Anding on Apple Podcasts

When sickness hits, a few cozy, practical tools make long days at home feel a little easier:

^^^ A multi‑use cover you can pop over car seats or strollers in high‑germ environments like clinics or pharmacies.

^^^ Soft, absorbent burp cloths for catching coughs, sneezes, and spills.

^^^ Cozy quilts for snuggly couch days.