“How do you tell the difference between the cold and flu?”
My child has symptoms that resemble both a cold and flu. How do you tell the difference between the cold and flu?
2 Answers
A cold is a viral illness with runny nose, mild cough amfor 3-5 days. Many children run fever in response to cold viruses. Influenza is a more serious virus with congestion, cough, fever which may be high as well as generalized aching and feeling I'll. Vomiting May be the first sign. When to seek medical attention for fevwr and congestion depends on the age of the child.
Im sorry your child isnt feeling well. The flu is essentially a kind of a cold. The flu is a term that is used somewhat loosely, but it comes from influenza, which is a specific virus that we see seasonally that causes a pretty bad cold (high fever, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and sometimes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea). Technically, it doesnt really matter whether it is the flu virus or another virus causing the cold - it is treated much the same way - with anti-fever meds, rest, and fluids. Sometimes we give anti-viral medications for documented influenza (confirmed by a test) for some high risk populations, but generally it will get better over a week or so with the above comfort measures. You child should see their pediatrician if they are having trouble breathing, not taking or keeping down fluids at all, or the fever is lasting more than 5 days. Hope that helps and I hope your kiddo feels better soon.
