Flu Facts and Treatment

Most flu suffers recover without incident, especially the young and healthy, but when complications occur, they can be serious. Among them are dehydration, pneumonia, and inflammation of the muscles, heart, or even brain. Young children can also end up with a viral ear infection, and the particularly devastating Reye's syndrome can occur when aspirin is given to children with the flu (which is why aspirin is rarely used for children anymore). Because of this, it's crucial that parents recognize the symptoms of flu and know how to treat it and when to get medical help.