How many days does a high fever from the flu usually last in children?
Feb 08, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ren Yi
Introduction
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, typically causes high fever in children that lasts for 3 to 7 days. If a child has relatively strong immunity, is infected with a smaller amount of influenza virus, and receives timely and effective antiviral treatment, the replication of the influenza virus can be suppressed, symptoms can be alleviated, and recovery can be accelerated. In such cases, the high fever generally lasts for 3 to 5 days.
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, generally causes high fever lasting 3 to 7 days in children. If any abnormalities occur, timely medical attention is recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:
If a child has relatively strong immunity and is infected with a small amount of influenza virus, timely treatment with effective anti-flu medication can inhibit virus replication, alleviate symptoms, and accelerate recovery. In such cases, the high fever usually lasts for 3 to 5 days.
However, if a child has a weaker constitution—for example, if they have underlying medical conditions such as congenital heart disease or asthma—or if they are infected with a more severe strain of the influenza virus, the immune system may be weakened, requiring a longer time for the body to eliminate the virus and recover. In these cases, the high fever may persist for 5 to 7 days.
To effectively prevent influenza, it is recommended that parents take their children to receive the annual flu vaccine 1 to 2 months before the flu season begins. Additionally, during peak flu season, other preventive measures should be taken alongside vaccination, such as wearing masks, washing hands frequently, and avoiding crowded places, to reduce the risk of infection.
