You may be worried. Your child has a running nose and fever, and is off from school. Your major concern seems to be to confirm if this is just a common cold or a flu (also called influenza) that is rapidly spreading. It may be difficult to differentiate the two but it is good to maintain a high index of suspicion.
Cold and flu- Is there a difference?
Cold and flu share common symptoms but the severity and rapidity of onset may differ. As compared to a cold, flu may have sudden onset of symptoms that include running nose, sneezing, splitting headache, intense body ache and tiredness, and a high fever that maybe accompanied by chills.
Another type of flu called the H1N1 flu or swine flu is caused by a virus that circulates in pigs and can infect humans. The symptoms are similar to those of common cold, though these are severe and sudden. The infection can spread from person to person and is now widely prevalent throughout the globe. It has been called a global emergency.
Colds and flu are caused by a number of viruses. The commonest virus causing common cold is the rhinovirus. Up to 80% cases of common cold are caused by rhinovirus infection.
H1N1 flu is caused by the swine influenza virus.
Feeling better
Lifestyle changes can help you to feel better when suffering from a cold or flu. Take rest and keep your room warm, and check for excess humidity. Clean the humidifiers to prevent growth of moulds. Do saline gargles. Saline nasal drops can irrigate the nose and drain the infection. Drink lots of fluids. Piping hot soups may be soothing. Eat a balanced diet. Some citrus fruits like lemon or oranges can provide vitamin C that is believed to help in recovering from colds. Children may become irritable when suffering from cold and may need comforting care.
Treating cold and flu symptoms
There is no cure for a cold. Antibiotics, medicines that kill the disease causing germs called bacteria, are of no benefit in cold. You may take one of the cold medicines available over the counter. The nasal decongestants provide relief to a blocked nose, antihistamines check sneezing and running nose, cough suppressants quieten a distressing cough. If you feel fullness and distress in the chest, you make take an expectorant. This class of medicines loosens the viscid secretions and makes it easier to cough them out. One of the pain killers may help in headaches and body aches. Aspirin is a commonly used drug. Avoid giving this to children as it can lead to adverse reactions. Do not give cough medicines to children under the age of 4 years.
When diagnosed H1N1, you may need treatment with antiviral medicines to arrest the multiplication and spread of the swine flu virus. You may need these drugs if your illness is progressive and severe. The oral capsules and suspension of oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) is FDA-approved for the treatment of uncomplicated acute influenza in patients 1 year and older with symptoms for no more than 2 days. Another inhalational drug zanamivir (Relenza®) is FDA-approved for patients 7 years or older. Remember! These drugs offer best benefits only if taken within 2 days of onset of symptoms. When either of these fails, peramivir may be used. This is infused in the blood vessel and is under evaluation.
Calling a doctor
Generally a cold lasts for about a week. You needn’t call a doctor if your symptoms are mild and not disabling.
You should seek medical help if you have a persistent fever, cough, chest discomfort, or headaches. You may need emergency care if you have difficulty in breathing, confusion, dizziness or a persistent vomiting. Children may need emergency care if they get extremely irritable or lethargic, turn pale or blue, are not drinking enough fluids, develop a rapid and difficult breathing or a fever with rashes.
Measures to prevent catching a cold or the flu
Yes, you can prevent catching a cold or flu if you exercise some precautions. Avoid contact with a person who is suffering from cold or flu. Children may not be sent to school to prevent spread of infection to others. Do not go for work when you are sick. Hand washing is an effective way of preventing cold and flu. This is best done with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
The antiviral medicines, oseltamivir and zanamivir, are effective in prevention of influenza. These have been effective in more than 70-80% cases. Additionally, to protect against flu, you may go in for a yearly vaccination. New seasonal vaccines are available each year to prevent influenza. The recent one approved by FDA protects against H1N1 swine flu and two other flu strains for the 2010-2011 flu season.
Prevention is the best strategy
Prevention is the best strategy to fight cold and flu. Be informed about the symptoms, treatment and preventive measures. A simple measure of prevention like washing hands can save you from the troublesome cold and flu.