Cold and Flu

Cold and Flu Overview

October to April is the typical cold and flu season due to weather and temperature changes, kids going back to school and more indoor activities where viruses can spread more easily. 

What is the common cold?

A cold is an infection of the upper respiratory system. This just means it can affect the nose, throat and sinuses. A cold virus gets inside your body and makes you sick. The rhinovirus is the most common cold virus, but more than 200 viruses can cause colds. Because there are so many, there isn’t a vaccination, or shot, to prevent you from getting colds.

What is influenza (flu)?

Influenza (the flu) is a very contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract (nose, throat, and lungs) caused by the influenza virus. The flu can make someone feel sick for up to 7 to 10 days. 

Cold and flu symptoms

When people have the flu, they usually feel worse than they do with a cold. Most people start to feel sick about two days after they come in contact with the flu virus. 

Common cold	Flu
Low fever	High fever
Body chills	Body chills
Stuffy/runny nose	Shortness of breath
Feeling tired and not hungry	Fatigue
Sore/itchy throat	Sore throat
Cough	Cough
Chest congestion	Runny or stuffy nose
	Muscle pains or body aches
	Headache

Are some kids more at risk for coming down with colds or flu?

Kids, especially young kids, are susceptible to illness due to their developing immune systems. Once they begin attending daycare or preschool, they will be exposed to many common childhood illnesses. Younger infants who have older siblings that are in school will also tend to get sick more frequently, since their siblings are bringing home germs. 

How can I tell the difference between the flu and COVID-19?

Both COVID-19 and flu may have symptoms ranging in severity. Kids who have been infected may show some or most of these symptoms, or they may be asymptomatic, where they don’t develop any symptoms at all. The only major symptom that points toward COVID-19 rather than flu is the loss of smell and taste.

In both COVID-19 and flu, it’s possible to spread the virus for at least one day before experiencing symptoms. Because of this, it’s important to get tested for COVID-19 and self-quarantine immediately following potential exposure to infection.

Why your family should get their annual flu shot

Having your children get the flu shot as soon as possible will help avoid serious illness from the flu. Children as young as 6 months of age are recommended to receive the flu shot. Additionally, all members of your household should receive their annual flu shot to prevent spread.

Influenza shot FAQs

Cold and Flu Treatments

For kids whose immune systems are still developing, it’s important to prioritize comfort and relief from symptoms, and to prevent symptoms from getting worse.

How are colds and the flu treated?

Kids with mild cases of cold and flu usually doesn’t need medical treatment. Sometimes, doctors might prescribe antiviral medicine for some people who have the flu. This medicine works best if given within the first two days of the illness. It can make flu symptoms milder and shorten the illness by a couple of days. But it has some side effects, so discuss the pros and cons of taking it with your doctor.

When should I see the doctor for my child’s cold or flu?

You should call your doctor if your child has the following cold or flu symptoms:

• A fever in a baby less than 2 months old.
• A fever of 100.4 degrees or higher lasting more than three days.
• Labored breathing including wheezing, fast breathing or shortness of breath.
• Dehydration along with not eating or drinking.
• Constant ear pain.

If your baby is under 1 month old with a rectal temperature of 100.4 °F (38°C) or above, take them to the emergency department right away. Visit CHOC’s Fever Guide for more information.

Can I give my child over-the-counter cold and flu medicine?

Give acetaminophen, like Tylenol, or ibuprofen, like Motrin and Advil, for fever and aches.

Do not give aspirin unless your doctor tells you to. It has been linked to a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome.

You can give over-the-counter cough or cold medicines to children over 6 years old if your doctor says it’s OK. Follow the package instructions carefully so you give the right amount. Do not give cold or cough medicines to children under 6 years old because they can cause bad reactions.  

How can I help my child feel better?

If your child gets a cold or the flu: 

• Offer plenty of liquids. Fever and appetite loss is common with the flu and can lead to dehydration. 
• Honey can help loosen a stubborn cough in children older than 12 months of age. Give one to two teaspoons of honey at night. Do not give honey to children under 12 months old. 
• Encourage your child to rest in bed or on the couch with a supply of magazines, books, quiet music, and perhaps a favorite movie. 
• Dress your child in layers that are easy to add and remove during bouts of chills or fever. 
• Running a cool-mist humidifier can help relieve coughs and runny or stuffy noses. Clean it after each use or at least once a day. 

How can help relieve my child’s stuffy nose?

• For babies: put a few drops of saline (salt water) into the nose, then gently suction the mucus out with a bulb syringe. Do this no more than two to three times a day so that the inside of your baby’s nose does not get swollen or sore. 
• For older kids: give two sprays of saline nose spray three times a day.

How long should my child stay home with a cold or flu?

Kids who are sick should stay home from school and childcare until they: 

• Feel better. 
• Have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine. 

Cold and Flu Prevention Tips

With the change in seasons, colder weather and more time gathering indoors during the fall and winter, it’s common for kids to contract cold and flu viruses. However, practicing healthy habits can help reduce the risk of getting sick.

Tips for preventing flu in children and teens

People with the flu can spread it to others. Most experts think that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk.

To reduce the risk of getting the flu, kids should:

• Get their annual flu shot.
• Practice proper hand washing, especially before and after eating and using the bathroom.
• Stay away from people who have a fever.
• Mask when indoors or in large group settings.

Tips for preventing the common cold in children and teens

Because so many viruses cause colds, there isn’t a vaccine to protect against them. To help avoid catching one, kids should:

• Stay away from people who have a cold.
• Refrain from touching their mouth, nose or eyes.
• Avoid secondhand smoke.
• Practice proper handwashing, especially after blowing their nose.
• Avoid sharing towels, drinking glasses or eating utensils with someone who has a cold.
• Avoid picking up other people’s used tissues.

Is there anything I can do to prevent my child from getting sick, in general?

Although it’s common for your child to pick up a cold or the flu school or daycare, there are some common practices that can help keep your kids as healthy as possible, like: 

• Stay up to date on vaccinations. Make sure your child has their influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccines to help prevent illness.  
• Cover mouths while coughing. This can help prevent spread at school or daycare. Tell your kids to be like Dracula as they sneeze or cough in their elbow!  
• Eat healthy meals and drink plenty of water. Make sure your kids are getting the nutrition they need with a variety of meals and snacks full of fruits and vegetables so they can get the vitamins and minerals needed to help boost their immune systems.  
• Sleep. Make sure your child is getting plenty of sleep to help them stay well and healthy.