Your child has a sore throat, cough,
and high fever. Could it be the
flu? Or just a cold?
The flu usually makes kids feel worse than if they have a cold. But it's not always
easy to tell the difference between the two. Here are tips on what to look for —
and what to do.
Colds or Flu: Symptoms Guide
Answer these questions to see if your child has the flu or a cold:
|
Flu vs. Colds: A Guide to Symptoms
|
|---|
| Questions | Flu | Cold |
|---|
| Did the illness come on suddenly? |
Yes |
No |
| Does your child have a high fever? |
Yes |
No
(or fever is mild) |
| Is your child's energy level very low? |
Yes |
No |
| Is your child's head achy? |
Yes |
No |
| Is your child's appetite less than normal? |
Yes |
No |
| Are your child's muscles achy? |
Yes |
No |
| Does your child have chills? |
Yes |
No |
If most of your answers are "yes," chances are your child has the flu. If your
answers are mostly "no," it's probably a cold.
When Should I Call the Doctor?
If you have any doubts, it's best to call the doctor. An illness that seems like
a cold can turn out to be the flu. And other illnesses, like strep
throat or pneumonia,
can seem like the flu. Even doctors sometimes need to do a test to know for sure if
a child has the flu or a cold.
It's important to get medical care right away if your child:
How Is the Flu Treated?
Most of the time, you can care for your child at home with plenty of liquids, rest,
and comfort.
Even healthy children can struggle with the flu. But some kids — like
those younger than 5 or kids with asthma
— are more likely to have problems if they get the flu. In some cases, a doctor
might prescribe an antiviral medicine to lessen flu symptoms.
What Can Parents Do?
- Prevention is the best medicine. Make sure that everyone in your family gets a
flu vaccine every
year.
- Teach your kids good hand
washing habits to help stop
the spread of flu.
- If your child has asthma or another illness, call your doctor right away if your
child shows signs of the flu. The doctor might need to give your child antiviral medicines,
which only work when children start taking them within 48 hours of when flu symptoms
start.
Date reviewed: November 2018
