Pediatric Walk-In Care for Flu and Cold Q&A

A child may exhibit the following symptoms:

• A dry or productive (mucus-producing) cough
• A dry or sore throat
• A stuffy nose or chest congestion
• Chills and a fever
• Feeling tired or weak
• Headache, body aches, or sore muscles
• Loss of appetite
• Sneezing

The signs of a cold in a child can be very similar to symptoms of the flu, although there are a few important distinctions to watch out for: fevers, fatigue, and headaches are more likely to accompany flu, and sneezing, sore throat, and nasal congestion are more likely to accompany an infection caused by a cold virus.

Although the flu is a respiratory disease, it can affect the whole body and may present the following symptoms in children:

• Body aches, which may be severe
• Cough that gets worse
• Fever as high as 103-105°F
• Headache
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Tiredness

Sometimes children experience other symptoms, including:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting

While most children recover from the flu within a week, they may experience body fatigue for as long as 3 to 4 weeks.

The best way to prevent the cold and flu in toddlers is to wash their hands regularly and to teach them basic hand-washing techniques. In addition to this, it is a good idea to stay away from anyone exhibiting cold and flu symptoms and to avoid sharing utensils, towels, and cups.

While it is not easy when your toddler is fighting the cold or flu, rest assured knowing that they will feel better in a week or two, after which they will be back to their normal, playful self.

If something does not seem right with your child, a simple phone call to a nurse or an appointment with a healthcare provider can help ease your mind. However, if your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should seek medical care as soon as possible:

• Any breathing problems, including fast, labored breathing
• High or persistent fever
• Persistent pain, such as an earache
• Severe headache
• Sore throat
• Stomach ache
• Thick and sticky eye discharge

Additionally, children may be seen for:

• A stiff neck
• Dehydration (severe dehydration is an emergency and must be treated at a hospital emergency room)
• Exposure to a contagious illness
• Extreme lack of energy
• Frequent vomiting or diarrhea
• Illness after recently traveling outside of the country
• Illness seems to be getting worse
• Not keeping down enough liquid to urinate regularly (minimum of once every 6-8 hours)
• Urinary problems, which may indicate an infection
• Vomit or diarrhea that contains blood
 
If your child is experiencing cold or flu symptoms, bring them to Priority Urgent Care and Walk-In Clinic today. Our medical professionals specialize in treating flu and colds in children and can help your little ones get back to their normal, loving selves. Call us today to book an appointment with our pediatric cold and flu specialist, or visit one of our clinic. We serve patients from Cromwell, CT, East Haven, CT, Ellington, CT, Newington, CT, Oxford, CT, Unionville, CT, Wallingford, CT, and BEYOND!