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Have you noticed your little one is under the weather lately? They may be suffering from a cold or even a flu, so familiarising yourself with the symptoms may help them back on their road to recovery. Knowing the signs and symptoms of both a cold and flu will help you take the appropriate action and offer your little one the correct treatment as their body fights the virus.
So, what are the symptoms of a cold?
Sometimes it can be difficult to tell the difference between whether your little one is suffering from a cold or flu.
The main symptoms of a cold consist of sneezing, coughing, a runny or blocked nose, and a sore throat. These symptoms tend to develop gradually over a couple of days and can last around 7-14 days. It tends to affect mainly the nose and throat and makes you feel unwell; however, your child is likely to feel okay to carry on as normal.
What are the symptoms of a flu?
The main difference is that a flu is more severe than the common cold as it can causes a fever, aches and pains, and can affect your child more quickly. Symptoms of a flu include tiredness, headache, a fever that comes on rapidly, aches and pains, sweating, fatigue, and a cough.
The average flu tends to clear up after a week, however, symptoms such as tiredness can last longer, and your child may feel exhausted.
It’s important to ensure your child is as comfortable as can be when they have a cold or flu. For both illnesses let them rest as much as possible and to stay well hydrated.
If your little one has a temperature of 38oC or above, it’s classed as a fever. If your child seems distressed, you may want to try a specially formulated for children paracetamol medicine such as CALPOL® Infant Suspension. Always ensure you use the age-appropriate treatment, follow the instructions, and stick to the correct dosage.
Always contact your GP if you’re concerned about your child’s health.
