It’s that time of year again — when runny noses, coughs and sore throats seem to be everywhere. Here are some simple tips from your local pediatric nurse practitioner to help keep your family healthy (and your sanity intact) during cold and flu season.
Cold vs. flu
The common cold and the flu can look a lot alike, but there are a few key differences.
• Colds usually come on gradually with nasal congestion, cough, sore throat and sometimes a mild fever or headache.
• Flu symptoms, on the other hand, tend to appear suddenly and hit hard — fever, chills and body aches often start abruptly, followed by congestion and cough.
A cold usually lasts 3-10 days, with symptoms peaking around days 4-5. The flu often lasts 5-7 days, but fatigue and weakness can linger for a week or more after other symptoms fade.
Treatment
For most children, treatment focuses on rest, fluids and comfort care.
• Fluids and rest are key to recovery.
• Tylenol or ibuprofen (ibuprofen only for children 6 months and older) can help with fever and body aches.
• Humidifiers and saline drops can ease congestion.
• Avoid over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for children under 6 years old — they don’t work well and can cause side effects.
In certain high-risk children, an antiviral medication such as Tamiflu may help shorten the duration of flu symptoms.
When to call your child’s healthcare provider
Give us a call if:
• Symptoms last longer than 7 days or seem to be getting worse
• Your child is having trouble breathing or is unusually tired or irritable
• Fever (100.4°F or higher) lasts more than 5 days
• Or anytime you’re just not sure — trust your instincts! We’d always rather you call than worry at home.
Prevention
A few simple steps go a long way toward keeping everyone healthy.
• Handwashing is still one of the best ways to stop germs from spreading.
• Keep children home from school if they have a fever (100.4°F or higher) or are too sick to participate in normal activities.
• Flu and COVID vaccines are available for children 6 months and older, though the COVID vaccine is in short supply right now. These vaccines don’t just prevent illness — they also help reduce the severity and duration of symptoms if your child does get sick.
Stay well, and may your tissues be few and your healthy days many! And please remember — we’re here to help if your family needs us this cold and flu season.
— Monica Benjamin is a doctor of nursing practice at Porter Pediatrics in Middlebury.