Dr. Lynn Cates
Specializing in pediatric infectious diseases and childhood immunizations.
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 Ask Dr. Cates
Cold or Flu | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Cates,
How can I tell if my child has a cold or a flu?— Bryan | | | ANSWER |
April 9, 2001 | | | Dear Bryan,
It can be very hard to tell whether someone has a cold or the flu just by his symptoms since both diseases can cause sore throat, fever, runny nose, and cough. In general, although there can be severe colds and mild flu, when a baby (or anyone) has the flu, he is much sicker than when he has a cold. Flu tends to cause a higher fever, be accompanied by more fatigue, and last longer than a cold. Older children and adults usually are able to attend school or work with a cold but may be too sick to go about their usual activities when they have the flu. They also may complain of severe muscle aches with the flu.
There is only one way to know for sure whether someone has a cold or the flu, and that is to obtain a laboratory test such as a viral culture to identify the exact virus causing the symptoms. Common colds are caused by rhinoviruses, and the flu is caused by influenza viruses. Cold and flu symptoms also can be caused by other viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza, and adenovirus. Viral cultures and other viral identification tests are not used under routine circumstances since they are expensive, and the results may not be available for several days.
In the vast majority of cases it is not necessary to know the exact cause of the infection because it will resolve without specific treatment. However, medications may be helpful under certain circumstances to help alleviate symptoms due to influenza and respiratory syncytial virus. You can ask your child's healthcare provider if your child will benefit from such treatment.— by Lynn Cates, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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