Every parent knows the heartache of seeing their little one suffer from children’s cold and flu. Between the sleepless nights and constant worry, it can send the whole household into a tailspin. The good news is there are many ways to soothe symptoms, such as infant coughing and sneezing, at home.
Understanding how to help a toddler with a cough and manage children’s cold and flu symptoms can make a significant difference in your child’s recovery–and save your household a lot of stress. Below, we unpack how to tell the difference between children’s cold and flu, and how to manage symptoms at home.
Children’s Cold and Flu: Knowing the Difference
While there are some similarities between the common cold and the flu, there are significant differences between the two—and knowing how to spot them is important. Here’s what to look for.
Influenza (the ‘Flu’)
What we commonly call the flu is an infection caused by strains of the influenza virus. The virus primarily affects the nose, throat and lungs—but can also involve other parts of the body. While the flu presents like a bad cold, it can lead to more severe symptoms, particularly in young children and people with underlying medical conditions. If your little one has the flu, they’ll usually experience two or more of the symptoms below.
Signs and symptoms include:
- Aches and pains in the body
- Headache
- Cough or noisy breathing
- Sore throat and runny nose
- Low energy
- Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhoea
A Cold
A cold is more common but generally less severe, than the flu. Still, your bub’s first cold will definitely tug at your heartstrings. When we talk about a ‘cold’, we’re talking about a viral upper respiratory tract infection (URTI).
There are hundreds of different viruses that can cause URTIs, but more commonly you might hear of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, rhinovirus and enterovirus. If your little one is nursing a cold, it will typically present in the symptoms below.
Signs and symptoms include:
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Congestion
- Red, watery eyes
- Sore throat
- Sneezing
- Fever
Managing Flu Symptoms at Home
Seeing your child unwell is one of the most difficult things for a parent. Because the flu can be more severe, and thus more dangerous, than a cold, it’s crucial to be vigilant for red flags such as respiratory distress or dehydration. If these symptoms occur, seek urgent medical assistance by calling triple zero or going to the nearest emergency department.
Here are our top tips for managing flu symptoms at home:
Managing Cold Symptoms at Home
Colds can make children miserable, and it’s never easy to watch as a parent. Thankfully, several remedies can help ease their pain and speed up recovery from the comfort of your home, provided you have the right supplies on hand.
- Over-the-counter medications: Children’s paracetamol and/or ibuprofen can ease their discomfort. Consult a healthcare professional if you’re unsure about dosage.
- Maintain hydration: Offer smaller, yet more frequent feeds to keep your little one hydrated. A full belly can put pressure on the lungs, so smaller volumes of fluid more often are usually tolerated better. For older children, water, clear soups and electrolyte solutions can help maintain hydration.
- Rest: Encourage plenty of sleep and quiet time. Lots of snuggles can also provide comfort and reassurance to help them rest and recover. Create a calm environment with soft lighting and soothing activities to help calm their nervous system.
Dealing with children’s cold and flu symptoms can be challenging, but knowing the difference between the two and how to manage them at home can be game-changing for the whole family. Always be vigilant for any red flags that might require urgent medical attention, and consult with healthcare professionals when necessary. Ensuring your little one gets plenty of rest, hydration and attention can help them recover from children’s cold and flu with more comfort, and less stress for parents.
Are you after more detailed guidance for handling children’s cold and flu? Our Surviving Sickness Course provides all the knowledge and tools needed to handle inevitable illnesses effectively. We have a whole collection of resources available to help parents feel prepared for anything.
