Sniffles,
sneezing,
aches, or fever?
How to
tell whether it’s the cold, flu, or allergies
It’s Monday, it’s early, and
your two-year-old won’t stop sneezing. Your six-year-old is
complaining of a headache and stuffy nose, and to top it off,
you’re feeling a little achy yourself. While we can hope we
don’t get unlucky enough to have the whole family sick at the
same time, it could happen. But are all these different symptoms
from the same illness, and if not, how can you tell what’s what?
When cold and flu season rolls
around or when a situation like the recent swine flu outbreak
occurs, parents might be able to breathe a little easier if they
know how to tell the difference between cold, flu, and allergy
symptoms so they’re better prepared to help their children—and
themselves. |
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“It can be hard to differentiate
between a cold and the flu, especially when your child isn’t old
enough to tell you exactly what’s wrong,” says
Sara Woods, M.D., a
pediatrician with The
Austin Diagnostic Clinic (ADC). “But if you know what to look
for, you can usually make a pretty good guess. Of course, if you
aren’t sure, your child’s doctor can give you a more certain
diagnosis.”
Flu symptoms vs. cold symptoms
The early symptoms of the flu and a cold can be similar, but
there are some key characteristics of each one:
• Onset. If the illness came
on suddenly, it’s more likely to be the flu. Colds usually
come on gradually.
• Fever. A fever usually
accompanies the flu. It may be high and last up to four days.
With young children, the fever may even be higher than 102° F.
If you do have a fever with a cold, it is usually mild.
• Headache. If you or your
child has an aching head, it could be the flu. Headaches are
more common with the flu.
• Body aches. Significant
body aches are more often a symptom of the flu.
• Exhaustion. The flu is
usually accompanied by extreme feelings of exhaustion or
tiredness. Colds can make you tired, but not nearly as tired
as you feel with the flu.
• Stuffy nose. If you’re
constantly blowing your nose, it is more likely to be a cold.
• Sore throat. A sore throat
is more common with a cold.
• Sneezing. Sneezing is
usually a cold symptom.
“If your child suddenly starts
feeling bad, is running a high fever, and complains of body
aches, you’re probably dealing with the flu,” says Dr. Woods.
Allergies
Allergies are another possible cause of runny noses, sneezing,
headaches, and congestion. If your child has these symptoms,
without body aches or fever, it could be allergies.
“In Central Texas, there are lots of things to be allergic to,”
says Dr. Woods. “Allergies often cause itchy, watery eyes and
itchy noses. Colds and flu usually don’t cause those symptoms.”
Allergies can last for weeks or months, and usually occur around
the same time every year if they are caused by pollen. Mold,
dust mites, or pet allergies can be a year-round problem.
Treatments
“Remember that colds and flu can’t be treated with antibiotics,
because these illnesses are caused by viruses. Antibiotics are
used to treat bacteria-caused illnesses,” emphasizes Dr. Woods.
“Over-the-counter medications can help you feel better, but make
sure to follow the dosage guidelines in the product
instructions, especially for children.”
Colds usually go away by themselves within a week. The flu can
last longer, up to two weeks. To help your body fight a cold or
the flu, you should get enough rest and drink plenty of fluids.
For the flu, prescription drugs like Tamiflu can be taken within
two days of the first symptoms. It can help shorten the duration
of the flu and reduce the severity of flu symptoms. Tamiflu is
approved for use by children one year of age or older.
You can also help prevent the flu by ensuring that everyone in
the family gets a flu shot, including children older than six
months. However, flu shots may not protect you against all
strains of the flu. When new flu strains develop, it can take
time for scientists to produce a new vaccine.
“For allergies, the best defense is to avoid exposure to
allergens,” says Dr. Woods. “But since that isn’t always
possible, taking an antihistamine or using a prescription nasal
spray works well for many people. Another option might be
allergy shots, so talk with your doctor about what might work
for you or your child.”
Are medications safe for kids?
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned two years
ago that over-the-counter cold and cough medications can have
adverse effects on very young children—including potentially
life-threatening effects—many parents are worried about giving
these drugs to young children. Major drug manufacturers pulled
their products labeled for children younger than two from
stores. But are these drugs safe for older children?
“The FDA hasn’t yet issued a ban on cold and cough medications
for children,” says Dr. Woods. “But for children younger than
six, cough and cold medications should only be administered when
directed by a physician. Give children age-appropriate doses of
ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with pain, along with home
remedies like hot showers and plenty of fluids.” Parents may
still have some of these cough and cold medications labeled for
children younger than two years old in their medicine cabinets.
“It’s a good idea just to throw them away so you remember not to
give them to children under six,” continues Dr. Woods. “Also, if
any medications are expired, throw them away.”
There have been some reports that the antiviral drug Tamiflu has
been associated with serious side effects, but it’s unclear
whether the use of the drug or the flu itself caused the
symptoms—including confusion and temporary changes in behavior.
If you are concerned about using Tamiflu, talk with your doctor.
Prevention
One of the most important ways to prevent colds and flu is
through frequent hand washing, so teaching your children this
important skill can help keep illnesses at bay. Disinfecting the
home if a member of the family is already sick can help others
from getting sick as well. According to Dr. Woods, staying
hydrated and getting enough sleep are also key tactics when it
comes to prevention as well as treatment. With any luck, you
won’t have to worry about figuring out everyone’s symptoms at
the same time—but if it comes up, knowing the signs and symptoms
of common ailments can make you feel more confident that you’re
treating the right illness. And that added confidence should
make any parent feel a little better.
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