Your child is sent home from school with a sore throat, cough, and
high fever — could it be the flu that's been going around? Or just a common cold? Although the flu (or influenza)
usually causes symptoms that make someone feel worse than symptoms
associated with a common cold, it's not always easy to tell the
difference between the two.
Symptoms Guide
The answers to these questions can help determine whether a child is fighting the flu or combating a cold:
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Flu vs. Colds: A Guide to Symptoms
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| Questions | Flu | Cold | ||
| Was the onset of illness ... | sudden? | slow? | ||
| Does your child have a ... | high fever? | no (or mild) fever? | ||
| Is your child's exhaustion level ... | severe? | mild? | ||
| Is your child's head ... | achy? | headache-free? | ||
| Is your child's appetite ... | decreased? | normal? | ||
| Are your child's muscles ... | achy? | fine? | ||
| Does your child have ... | chills? | no chills? | ||
If most of your answers fell into the first category, chances are
that your child has the flu. If your answers were usually in the second
category, it's most likely a cold. But don't be too quick to brush off your child's illness as just
another cold. The important thing to remember is that flu symptoms can
vary from child to child (and they can change as the illness
progresses), so if you suspect the flu, call the doctor. Even doctors
often need a test to tell them for sure if a person has the flu or not
since the symptoms can be so similar!
Some bacterial diseases, like strep throat or pneumonia, also can
look like the flu or a cold. It's important to get medical attention
immediately if your child seems to be getting worse, is having any
trouble breathing, has a high fever, has a bad headache, has a sore
throat, or seems confused. While even healthy kids can have complications of the flu, kids with
certain medical conditions are at more of a risk. If you think your
child might have the flu, contact your doctor.
Treatment
Some kids with chronic medical conditions may become sicker with the
flu and need to be hospitalized, and flu in an infant also can be
dangerous. For severely ill kids or those with other special
circumstances, doctors may prescribe an antiviral medicine that can ease
flu symptoms, but only if it's given within 48 hours of the onset of
the flu. Most of the time, you can care for your child by offering plenty of fluids, rest, and extra comfort. And if the doctor says it's not the flu? Ask whether your child should get a flu shot.
Source: kidshealth