Contact us today! Click to call: 248-540-8700. Fax: 248-540-8701
Is It a Cold or the Flu?
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:
|
Flu vs. Colds: A Guide to Symptoms |
||
|---|---|---|
|
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. We can test to tell for sure if your child 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 kid might have the flu, contact us. We are here to help.
