I Think My Child Has the Flu: Should We Schedule a Telemedicine Visit?
Your child woke up with a high fever, body aches, and fatigue. It sounds like the flu. Do you need to bring them in, or can you handle this at home? The answer depends on your child’s age, overall health, and how their symptoms are progressing.
When a Telehealth Visit Makes Sense for the Flu
For most otherwise healthy children over 2 years of age with typical flu symptoms — fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, cough — a telehealth visit is a reasonable and efficient first step. Your provider can:
- Assess symptom severity and confirm the clinical picture
- Recommend appropriate home care and fever management
- Prescribe antiviral medication (Tamiflu) if indicated — it’s most effective when started within the first 48 hours
- Determine whether the child needs an in-office or ER evaluation
When to Go In Person (or to the ER)
Telehealth is not appropriate for children who show warning signs. Seek in-person care for:
- Infants under 3 months with any fever
- Difficulty breathing or rapid/labored breathing
- Persistent chest pain or pressure
- Confusion, extreme sleepiness, or difficulty waking
- Severe or persistent vomiting preventing fluid intake
- Signs of dehydration — no urination in 8+ hours, very dry mouth, no tears
- Symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worsening cough
Managing Flu at Home
Most flu cases resolve in 5-7 days with supportive care: rest, adequate fluids, and age-appropriate fever management with acetaminophen or ibuprofen (no aspirin). Keep your child home from school until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.
Schedule a telehealth visit from home — call (702) 457-5437 or visit our telehealth page.
