Ifluenza: The Flu Symptom Most Moms Probably Never Heard About

Influenza (or “flu”) is a respiratory infection caused by influenza virus.

Though Influenza is called a respiratory disease, the whole body seems to suffer when a child has it. Children usually become suddenly ill with any or all of the following symptoms: Fever -which may be as high as 103° F (39.4° C) to 105° F (40.5° C), Muscle & joint aches, chills, fatigue, cough or maybe, a sore throat.

Most parents are familiar with the above symptoms but did you know flu is sneaky and can show up as hives, too?

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Brodi Willard, a mom and registered nurse in Nebraska, found that out in January when her son developed an itchy skin rash. She tried home remedies but couldn’t get the hives to stop spreading. She then took her son into the pediatrician’s office where he tested positive for influenza.

Willard was shocked because her son didn’t have any of the usual symptoms- No fever, no cough and no runny nose. In a now viral post, Willard wrote:

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“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.”