Get informed about Influenza A fever & hallucinations in children

December 7, 2022
A child with the flu can have hallucinations, but be assured these episodes can be brief and don’t require treatment.

“Mommy, Mommy, make it stop!”
“Make what stop?”
“It’s loud. They’re yelling!”
“Shhhhh, sweetie, no one is yelling.”
“Stop, stop, aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh.”

It’s 7 a.m. and, after I spent the night treating her high fevers, Marissa is finally feeling better but is suddenly terrified by what she’s hearing.

Most parents would be similarly terrified while seeing their child in such distress; flailing, yelling and confused. Not me. As an emergency doctor I have seen many other kids hallucinating these last few weeks while sick with Influenza A.

Our emergency department has been visited by children hearing loud sounds, seeing objects as too large or too far away, and feeling scared that someone or something is trying to hurt them.

These young patients have all been influenza positive.

Stories@IH

Read our latest stories

4 Minute Read
Community & Culture

SCHF supports 100 Mile House & District General Hospital and health facilities, health projects, and the well-being of health-care providers & patients.

5 Minute Read
Community & Culture

Thanks to a collaboration between Lillooet Hospital and School District 74, several local Lillooet students got a closer look into health care as a profession.

5 Minute Read
Community & Culture

Nida has long felt called to pursue a communications position in health care. Today, she’s honoured and feels extremely thankful to be living her dream.

6 Minute Read
Health & Wellness

A new program in IH emergencies invites patients to share information about their relationship to alcohol, normalizing conversations and creating a safe space.

4 Minute Read
Community & Culture

Connect with Jade Chaboyer-Kondra to learn more about what inspires her, meaningful experiences she’s had throughout her career, and her life outside of work.

5 Minute Read
Health & Wellness

If you're uncomfortable with your relationship to alcohol, we offer a detox program that's done from home. Learn more about outpatient withdrawal management.

STAY CONNECTED

Receive news and alert posts, and Stories@IH blog posts, right to your inbox!

mail