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

A child may exhibit the following symptoms:

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

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:

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

Sometimes children experience other symptoms, including:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

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:

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

Additionally, children may be seen for:

• Frequent vomiting or diarrhea
• Not keeping down enough liquid to urinate regularly (minimum of once every 6-8 hours)
• Dehydration (severe dehydration is an emergency and must be treated at a hospital emergency room)
• Vomit or diarrhea that contains blood
• A stiff neck
• Extreme lack of energy
• Illness seems to be getting worse
• Exposure to a contagious illness
• Illness after recently traveling outside of the country
• Urinary problems, which may indicate an infection
 
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 clinics. We serve patients from Ellington CT, Unionville CT, East Haven CT, Cromwell CT, Oxford, CT and Newington, CT, and BEYOND!