It’s that time of year again in Frisco. Temperatures are dropping, fall is in the air, and kids are back in school. Unfortunately, cooler weather also brings the rise of seasonal illnesses like colds and flu. As a parent, it can feel daunting trying to tell the difference between a common cold and the flu. And even more concerning is trying to prevent the spread of these contagious illnesses or knowing the best way to treat them.

The pediatrician at Entirely Kids Pediatrics wants to help you navigate flu season and keep your kids healthy and happy. Read on for our guide to managing sniffles, sneezes, coughs, and the general lousiness that comes along with cold and flu season.

What’s the Difference Between a Cold and the Flu?

Colds and flu share some similar symptoms, but there are a few key differences. Here’s an overview of the unique symptoms of each:

Common Cold Symptoms

Runny or stuffy nose
Sore throat
Sneezing
Mild cough
Mild body aches
Mild fatigue
Watery eyes
No fever or low-grade fever under 101°F

Influenza (Flu) Symptoms

Fever over 101°F
Body aches and chills
Fatigue and weakness
Chest discomfort with coughing
Headache
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Nausea or vomiting (more common in kids)

The flu usually comes on suddenly and symptoms are often more severe than a cold. Kids with the flu will often need to miss school or other activities because they feel so worn down.

What Causes Colds and How Are They Spread?

Colds are caused by over 200 different viruses, most commonly rhinovirus. These viruses multiply inside the nasal passages and throat, where they cause inflammation, stuffiness, and mucus production. The viruses that cause colds spread easily from person to person in the following ways:

Touching nose or eyes after touching a contaminated surface
Inhaling contaminated airborne droplets from a sneeze or cough
Sharing food or drinks with someone who is sick

Kids are prone to catching colds because they aren’t the best at containing coughs/sneezes or washing hands frequently. Cold viruses can live on surfaces like doorknobs, desks, keyboards, and phones for up to 48 hours.

What About the Flu? How Does it Spread?

Influenza spreads through respiratory droplets, exactly like the common cold. An infected person coughs or sneezes, and tiny droplets containing the flu virus fly through the air. Anyone in close proximity could inhale these particles and become infected.

Kids are often super-spreaders when it comes to the flu because their symptoms are more severe. The particles they cough or sneeze contain higher viral loads than adults.

How Can I Prevent Colds and Flu?

The best way to prevent colds and flu is through good hygiene and healthy habits:

Get vaccinated– Everyone over 6 months old should get an annual flu vaccine. Many parents are unaware that flu vaccines are updated every year to target the strains experts predict will be most prevalent. They are your child’s best protection.
Wash hands frequently– Make sure kids are washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap is unavailable. Hand hygiene is #1 for preventing the spread of illnesses.
Avoid touching face– Remind kids to keep their hands away from eyes, nose, and mouth unless they just washed them. Their hands pick up germs that can enter the body through facial membranes.
Cover coughs and sneezes– Coughing or sneezing into a tissue or elbow prevents respiratory droplets from contaminating others. Make sure to throw away tissues immediately after use.
Clean surfaces– Use disinfecting wipes or cleaning spray to wipe down countertops, desks, keyboards, doorknobs, and toys frequently.
Get plenty of sleep– Proper rest keeps the immune system strong and prevents illnesses. Elementary school kids need 9-12 hours of sleep per night.

What Should I Do if My Child Has Cold or Flu Symptoms?

If your child develops symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, or fatigue, keep them home from school to rest and recover. This prevents the spread of illness to classmates.

Make sure your child stays hydrated by offering plenty of water, broth, popsicles, electrolyte drinks like Pedialyte, and other fluids. Keep fevers under control with acetaminophen or ibuprofen based on your pediatrician’s recommendations.

Oral decongestants can help relieve stuffy noses and cough medicines may help reduce coughing fits. But always check with your pediatrician before giving over-the-counter medications, especially for children under 6 years of age.

Chicken noodle soup, warm tea with honey, broths, and warm lemon water can help soothe sore throats. Proper rest is key, so allow sick kids to stay home from school and other activities until symptoms improve.

Seek medical care right away if your child experiences any of the following:

High fever over 104°F
Dehydration symptoms like lack of tears, dry mouth, dizziness
Difficulty breathing or chest pain
Lethargy, confusion, inability to wake up
Bluish lips or nail beds
Persistent symptoms beyond 10 days

Can Antibiotics Treat Colds or Flu?

Antibiotics have no effect on cold and flu viruses. They only treat bacterial infections, which can occur as a complication from the cold and flu.

Unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions contribute to antibiotic resistance, making illnesses harder to treat in the future. Pediatricians follow strict guidelines to only prescribe antibiotics when truly needed for diagnosed bacterial infections.

Over-the-counter cold and flu medications simply treat symptoms. While antibiotics may be prescribed if a bacterial infection develops, the viruses must typically just run their course.

How Long Do Cold and Flu Symptoms Last?

Colds usually last about 7-10 days, but coughs can linger for up to 2-3 weeks. Flu symptoms improve within the first week, but tiredness and coughs can last over two weeks.

Kids should stay home from school until symptoms improve and fevers have been gone for 24 hours without medicine. Returning too soon may lengthen recovery.

Prevent dehydration, manage fevers, and seek medical care if symptoms don’t improve with conservative at-home treatment. Kids with chronic medical conditions may need extra monitoring when sick.

Can My Child Go to School with Cold or Flu Symptoms?

Kids should absolutely stay home from school if they have:

Fever over 100°F – fevers must be gone without medicine for 24 hours before returning to school
Vomiting or diarrhea – wait 24 hours after the last episode before returning to school
Severe cough – continuous coughing fits disrupt learning and spread illness to others
Sore throat – especially with fever or swollen glands which indicates likely infection
Thick or constant nasal drainage – kids need tissues readily available and may not concentrate fully

Kids who feel well enough to learn and aren’t contagious may attend school with mild symptoms, using caution. Notify teachers so extra hand washing can be encouraged and surfaces can be sanitized.

Keep Your Child Healthy This Season

As the temperature drops, the likelihood of sniffles and sneezes making their way into our homes increases. At Entirely Kids Pediatrics, we understand the concern that comes with cold and flu season, especially when it comes to our little ones. We have provided you with valuable insights and tips on how to keep your children healthy and comfortable during these challenging months.

However, we know that sometimes, despite our best efforts, illness can still strike. That’s why we’re here to offer our support and expert care to get your child back to their playful and healthy self as quickly as possible. From flu shots to personalized advice on managing symptoms at home, we are dedicated to ensuring your family has everything they need to navigate cold and flu season with confidence.

Don’t wait until the sniffles turn into something more serious. If your child is showing signs of a cold or flu, or if you want to take preventative steps with a flu shot, call us today at (469) 425-3600 to schedule an appointment.

At Entirely Kids Pediatrics, we’re committed to providing your family with the highest quality care, all season long. Together, let’s keep your children healthy, happy, and ready to enjoy the cooler weather to its fullest!

Managing Kids’ Colds and Flu as the Temperature Drops