“Cold and flu season” has taken on new meaning this year as influenza is worse across the U.S. than in has been in years. I know in my city, nearly every family I know has been touched with it, and at home we are taking extra precautions to leave germs OUTSIDE the house. And, I’ve got my hawkeye OUT for those typical influenza symptoms, of fever, cough, and body aches, too!
However, influenza aware I consider myself, I was STILL startled yesterday to see this post from nurse and mom Brodi Willard. Dismayed by hives all over her small son that she could not get to abate, she called his doctor, and HERE is what she found out!
Posted by Brodi Willard on Friday, January 26, 2018
PLEASE READ AND SHARE: My son came home from school with hives. Every time he would scratch, more would appear. We tried changing his clothes and giving him a bath, but nothing helped. I called his pediatrician. They said they had two kids come into the office that day with the same symptoms and tested POSITIVE FOR INFLUENZA. I took him to the doctor this morning, and he tested POSITIVE for INFLUENZA B. He has had NO symptoms. No fever, no cough, and no runny nose. He only has hives. Please keep watch on your children so if they develop hives, please call your pediatrician. I have never heard of this symptom but it is obviously something to be on the lookout for.
That’s right, HIVES can be a symptom of influenza! Willard states that her son had NO other influenza symptoms – not even a fever, but still tested positive. Since influenza is so contagious, it’s important we all know about this symptom so we can get our kids treated and properly quarantine them for the proper amount of time instead of giving them Benadryl for the hives and sending them out in the world to spread their influenza to others.
