The Different Symptoms of a Cold, the Flu and RSV
The start of the school year can be hectic. During this transitional period, kids are challenged with new routines, school materials and extracurricular activities. As a result, kids have increased contact with many people in one day. Consequently, kids tend to catch seasonal illnesses like the common cold, the flu or Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). All three are respiratory illnesses caused by viruses.
These outlines of symptoms can help you determine if your child is suffering from these seasonal illnesses.
Is it a cold?
Cough | Low fever | Sore throat | Sneezing | Stuffy nose
Is it the flu?
Body aches | Chills | Cough | Fever | Headache | Stuffy nose
Is it RSV?
Runny nose | Coughing | Fever | Sneezing | Headache | Loss of appetite | Difficulty breathing
RSV causes cold-like symptoms, however, it’s characteristic symptom of wheezing is a tell-tale sign. RSV infection in infants is dangerous, yet common. It can cause pneumonia or bronchiolitis. If you notice these severe RSV symptoms in your child, consult a doctor:
- Short and rapid breathing
- Cough
- Poor feeding
- Unusual tiredness or irritability
Treatment
These illnesses are usually mild and can be treated at home and resolve on their own. Take these measures to soothe your symptoms.
- Alleviate fever and pain. Over-the-counter fever and pain medications can help with discomfort.
- Hydrate. Drink enough to recover loss of fluids.
- Rest. Stay home to avoid spreading illness to others and rest to give your body the energy to recover.
- Talk to your doctor. Schedule a consultation before giving your child nonprescription medicines or if symptoms persist.
Quality care for kids
In the stressful moments of child illness, you can depend on the pediatrics team at Doctors Hospital of Laredo. We offer a wide range of services including:
- Routine wellness checks
- Immunizations/vaccinations
- Health screenings
- Care of acute illnesses
- Nutrition education
- Behavior evaluation