Published: January 09, 2009 04:42 pm      

Cold or Flu? What to look for

By: Tamara Niemeier

As the flu season approaches, children often have cough, congestion and a runny nose. As parents you may ask yourself, could my child have “the flu” or “just a common cold?” Both illnesses share similar symptoms, which make it difficult at times to determine which is which. This article will help you be aware of the differences.

The common cold is caused by any one of several hundred viruses. It is spread through droplets from the nose, i.e., sneezing, nose-blowing and nose-wiping. Each time you touch your hand to your nose, mouth or eye, you could infect yourself with a virus, therefore it is very important to wash your hands frequently to help prevent a cold.

Symptoms generally start within the first few days of exposure. Nasal stuffiness, congestion, cough and runny nose are a few of the first symptoms often followed by low-grade fever (99.0-101.0) and even vomiting or diarrhea. After several days the nasal discharge may change and have a yellow or green color. These color changes are normal and does not indicate that an antibiotic is needed. The illness is generally resolved in 7-10 days. If it lasts longer you should consider another problem such as a sinus infection or allergies.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), each year in the United States, 5-20 percent of the population gets the flu. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications (20,000 of these are children under age 5) and about 36,000 people die from the flu. Some people, such as young children, people with certain health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, seizure disorder or heart disease and the elderly, are at high risk for serious flu complications. This can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration and worsening of chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and congestive heart failure.

Flu symptoms are usually more severe and have a very sudden onset. It is caused by a variety of influenza viruses and is also spread by respiratory droplets — in other words the flu is airborne and very contagious. In fact, one may be able to infect others beginning on day 1 of the flu before symptoms develop and up to 5 days after becoming sick. That means you may be able to pass the flu on to someone else before you know you are sick. Symptoms usually start 2-3 days after exposure and include high fever (102-104), dry cough, nasal congestion, intense body aches and lack of energy. Often times patients describe feeling “sick all over.” The illness lasts 2-7 days.

The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination each year. There are 2 types of flu vaccine. The “flu shot” contains an inactive virus. It is given to those age 6 months and up. Side effects include soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, low grade fever or aches. The nasal-spray flu vaccine, which is made with, a live, weakened flu virus is given to healthy individuals age 2-49 who are not pregnant. Side effects may include runny nose, wheezing, headache, vomiting and muscle aches. Although a few side effects are possible from either vaccine, one cannot catch the flu from a flu vaccination. The CDC recommends flu vaccine for all children age 6 months up to age 19; pregnant women; people age 50 or older; people with certain health conditions, health care workers, household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age.

Testing for the flu is done occasionally in some clinic settings but often is diagnosed by symptoms as well as knowing that the flu has arrived in your town.

Treatment for the common cold and the flu is aimed at supportive, symptomatic care. If you think you or your child has the flu, call your health care provider. There are anti-viral medicines that can shorten the length of the illness if started within the first 48 hours of flu symptoms.

On the pharmacy shelf you can find an enormous supply of cold and cough medicines to help you or your child feel better. It is very important to follow the instructions on dosing especially with children. These medicines will not make your child get better more quickly. In fact, they have not been proven to actually be effective for children. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strongly encourages parents to avoid cough and cold medicines for children younger than age 2. In October of this year, the Consumer Health Care Products Association in conjunction with the FDA volunteered to relabel products to indicate they should not be used in children under age 4 unless your doctor or health care provider tells you to. Why all of these changes when we have used them in young children for years? Accidental overdose of cough and cold medicines can be fatal. The risk outweighs the benefit. For example, a sedating antihistamine can be dangerous when given to a child that is already having difficulty breathing. Older kids are not as likely to have these side effects but it is still possible, so use caution and give the right drug for the right symptom at the right time with the right dose. Often you can make your child feel better by offering plenty of fluids, encouraging rest, and trying saline nose drops to help clear the nasal passage. Moisten the air with a humidifier can help, but be sure to aim the mist away from the bed to keep the bedding from becoming damp. Change the water daily in the device to prevent mold growth. Older children may gargle salt water, suck on hard candy or throat lozenge to soothe a sore throat. If symptoms do not improve in a few days you may need to see your doctor or health care provider.

Symptoms of the common cold include nasal stuffiness, congestion, cough and runny nose and are often followed by a low-grade fever (99.0-101.0) and even vomiting and diarrhea. The illness is usually resolved in 7-10 days.

Flu symptoms are generally more severe and include high five (102-104), dry cough, nasal congestion, intense body aches and lack of energy. The illness lasts 2-7 days.