Cold or Flu? Symptoms for Recognizing Both and How to Treat Them

It’s that time of the year again - missed school days, cancelled play dates and postponed vacations, all because of various illnesses creating havoc in your household. But what is it? A cold or the flu? Do you know the difference and how to treat each? Below is a simple guide to help you identify symptoms and recommendations for getting your child on the road to recovery!

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), colds typically begin slowly and will last from 2-7 days, the flu comes on very quickly and can last for 3-4 weeks.

Tips for Treating a Cold or the Flu

Q: Is it “feed a cold and starve a fever?”
A: Actually, just make sure your child eats when he or she is hungry and drinks plenty of liquids to replace the fluids lost through fever and mucus production.

Q: My baby is having a difficult time nursing, what should I do?
A: She is probably congested. Ask your pediatrician about using saline drops and a nasal aspirator to help clear her nostrils. You can also elevate your baby’s head while she’s sleeping by placing a pillow or rolled up blanket under her mattress (never on top of it!).

Q: What kind of humidifier should I use?
A: Use a cool mist humidifier to add moisture to a room.  Safety note: Cool mist humidifiers are recommended over warm for children due to potential burning issues if the child comes too close to the unit. Also, harmful bacteria and mold can grow more easily in warm mist humidifiers. If you do not have a humidifier, create a “steam room” by running a hot shower and sitting with your baby in the bathroom for a while.

Q: Should I use over-the-counter medicines?
A: Doctors have recently noted that some over-the-counter remedies won’t help cure the common cold and, in certain instances, can mask a more serious problem. Some doctors believe that there is generally no benefit, for example, to giving a child a cough suppressant because coughing actually helps clear mucus from the lower respiratory tract. However, if an infant under the age of three months has a persistent cough you should notify your pediatrician immediately as it might be a sign of a more serious problem.

Q: What about antihistamines?
A: Antihistamines should generally not be given to children under one year of age as they might have the adverse side effect of making the child hyperactive and making the nasal secretions even thicker. Safety note: Children of any age should never be given aspirin as this can increase the risk of Reyes Syndrome, a potentially life threatening condition.

Q: What precautions can I take so my child doesn’t get the flu?
A: Prevention is the best defense. Most children between the ages of 6-36 months should be given an annual flu shot. If your child is already showing symptoms of the flu, there is now a specific medicine that can shorten the duration of the flu if it is given to a child within the first 48 hours of contracting the flu.

Q: What if my child has a fever?
A: Generally a slight fever is not something to be alarmed by and, in fact, is nature’s way of fighting off an infection. While it’s always important to check with your doctor, sometimes children whose temperature is lower than 102°F do not usually require medication unless they’re uncomfortable. The exception to this is infants under three months old. If they have a rectal temperature of 100.4°F or higher call your pediatrician immediately!

Q: Can I still use my glass mercury thermometer?
A: No! The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against using glass mercury thermometers due to concerns about possible exposure to mercury. If you still have one, do not throw it out as it could break and release the mercury contained in it. Rather, call your local health department where they can advise you on how to properly discard it.

An Ounce of Prevention
While you can’t lock your children away the entire winter, you can help decrease the likelihood of them contracting a cold or flu by practicing good hand washing with warm water and soap. Teach your child to cover his mouth with his arm instead of his hand when he sneezes and immediately throw away used tissues. Also, contrary to what your mother told you, bundling a child up against the cold weather will not prevent him from getting sick. In fact, over-bundling a baby can actually increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Click here for more information on SIDS. As we all know, kids will be kids, and part of raising kids is dealing with runny noses, sore throats and fevers. Recognizing the symptoms and knowing how to treat them is half the battle!