Know the difference between a cold and the flu

Influenza

Symptoms

A sudden onset of any of the following:

• Fever lasting 3-4 days about 102-104°

• Sore throat

• Headache

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Cough

• Chills

• Muscle or body aches

• Fatigue (tiredness)

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, and is more common in children

Treatment

• Stay home except to get medical care.

• Contact your health care provider right away if you are at high risk, antiviral drugs may be a treatment option.

• Drink plenty of fluids, dehydration can increase a fever.

• Get plenty of rest.

• Take over-the-counter pain relievers. For children, ask your health care provider for the correct type and dose for your child's age and weight.

• Use a cool mist vaporizer or take a hot, steamy shower.

• Isolate at home until your fever is gone for at least 24 hours, except to get medical care.

• Wear a face covering around other people.

When to see a physician

• If you are at high risk of flu complications, including young children, adults 65 years of age and older, pregnant women or have a medical condition such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease.

• If you develop shortness of breath, painful breathing, ear pain, facial pain or a bad sore throat.

• If you get better, then get worse again.

Colds

Symptoms

A gradual onset of symptoms of any of the following that last about 1-2 weeks:

• Low-grade fever (above 98.6° F but lower than 100.4° F)

• Sore throat

• Headache

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Dry cough or wet cough without wheezing or rapid breathing

• Mild general body aches

• Red eyes

• Sneezing

Treatment

• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

• Get plenty of rest.

• Use over-the-counter saline nasal drops and sprays for nose congestion.

• Take over-the-counter pain relievers. For children, ask your health care provider for the correct type and dose for your child's age and weight.

• Drink warm liquids to soothe and ease congestion.

• Honey may help coughs in adults and children who are one year or older.

When to see a physician

• If you have signs of pneumonia, bronchitis or other upper respiratory complications, including increased coughing, difficulty breathing, high fever, ear pain, facial pain or chest pain.

• If you have symptoms that continue beyond one or two weeks.

COVID-19

Symptoms

One or more of the following symptoms can appear 2-14 days after exposure, with the average being five days:

• Fever (100°F or higher)

• Sore throat

• Headache

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Cough

• Chills

• Muscle or body aches

• Severe fatigue (tiredness)

• Shortness of breath/chest tightness (for those under 12 years old – increased work to breathe)

• Loss of taste or smell

For children under 12 years old, symptoms can include:

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Poor feeding/appetite

• Plus at least one respiratory symptom

Treatment

• Stay home except to get medical care.

• If symptoms get worse, contact your health care provider immediately.

• Drink plenty of fluids, dehydration can increase a fever.

• Get plenty of rest.

• Take over-the-counter pain relievers. For children, ask your health care provider for the correct type and dose for your child's age and weight.

• Isolate in a specific room and away from other people at home. If possible, use a separate bathroom.

• Wear a face covering around other people.

• Stay in touch with your health care provider. Call before you go in for medical care.

When to see a physician

If you think you or your child may have been exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms, contact your health care provider. If you or your child is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

• Trouble breathing

• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

• New confusion

• Inability to wake or stay awake

• Bluish lips or face

Strep throat

Symptoms

Strep throat is an infection caused by bacteria and the following symptoms usually start very quickly:

• Fever

• Sore throat

• Headache

• Swollen glands in the neck

• Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus

• Tiny, red spots on the roof of the mouth (the soft or hard palate)

• Some people develop a rash

• Some people may have stomach pain, nausea or vomiting, and is more common in children

Treatment

• If you think you or your child have strep throat do not attempt home treatment, contact your health care provider immediately.

• A simple rapid strep test or throat culture from a clinic can determine if group A strep is the cause.

• Health care providers treat strep throat with antibiotics. Complete all prescribed medications in full.

• Take over-the-counter pain relievers to ease the pain. For children, ask your health care provider for the correct type and dose for your child's age and weight.

• Gargle with saltwater to help relieve pain.

• Sip warm beverages, cold beverages and frozen treats to help relieve pain.

When to see a physician

• If your child has symptoms of strep throat, especially if someone in your family or in your child's school has recently had a strep infection.

• When you or your child develop any of the symptoms associated with strep throat (see above).

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Symptoms

The following symptoms can appear 2-8 days after contact with RSV:

• High fever (can be low-grade over age 3)

• Sore throat (typical from age 3–adult)

• Headache

• Stuffy or runny nose

• Severe cough and/or wheezing*

• Shortness of breath or very fast rate of breathing*

• Bluish color of the lips or fingernails*

• Lethargy, irritability or listlessness*

• Lack of appetite/poor feeding

• Apnea*

* Typical for infants younger than age 3

Treatment

• Drink plenty of fluids

• Use a cool mist vaporizer

• Use saline nose drops

• Use non-aspirin fever medicine

• Wash hands frequently/avoid touching face/eyes

• Avoid public areas during RSV outbreaks

• Get plenty of rest

When to see a physician

Your child should see a physician if they:

• Have moderate difficulty breathing indicated by breathing 40-60 times per minute

• Tire quickly during feeding/loss of appetite

• Are struggling to breathe or wheezing

• Have an unusual color. Skin becomes slightly gray or lacelike purple and pale while tongue, gums and lips remain pink.

• Are excessively tired and lack appetite

• Are younger than 3 months old and have a fever greater than 100.4°

• Show signs of dehydration