Cold vs. Flu
January 26, 2010You are surrounded by people with runny noses, coughs and sore throats. And now your kids are showing signs of being sick. But what do they have and should you be worried? Learn how to tell the difference between cold and flu.
Dr. Fadi Aljabi a Pediatric Hospitalist with Mary Bridge Pediatric Care at Good Samaritan Hospital will help answer your questions in this live web chat.
Chat Host
10:56 AM
Welcome to the first E-Health Connect web chat.
Chat Host
10:57 AM
Today’s topic is Cold vs Flu: How to know the difference. Dr. Aljabi can advise you when it could be a cold, flu or something else. When to see your doctor and when to just take it easy.
Chat Host
10:58 AM
Fadi Aljabi, MD is a Hospitalist with Mary Bridge Pediatric Care at Good Samaritan Hospital. He is a graduate of the University of Damascus School of Medicine, and the Wayne State University Pediatric Residency at the Children's Hospital of Michigan.
Chat Host
11:01 AM
To ask a question, simply enter your name and email address, click join, then ask your question in the message box. Please note your email address will not be used for any other purpose than to contact you if needed about the chat.
Jennifer
11:02 AM
At what point should I be concerned about a fever?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:02 AM
If it is a high-grade fever like 102 and above and when it is associated with difficulty breathing.
Jenny
11:02 AM
If I am immunized against swine flu can I still be a carrier?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:03 AM
Yes, it is possible to still be a carrier and it is still possible to get re-infected.
Maura Hallam
11:03 AM
Good Morning. My son received an H1N1 vaccination several weeks ago. His pediatrician did not recommend a second shot, but I've read that children under 9 should get two shots to be fully covered. Should I have him get a second shot?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:04 AM
Yes, if they are less than 10 years of age they should receive two shots, four weeks apart. If they are 10 years or above they should recieve only one shot.
Joan
11:05 AM
About three days ago I started to have a sore throat and I am now having chills and am exhausted. Is this a regular cold or something else?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:06 AM
It depends on what other symptoms you have. If you have a high fever and a headache and body aches that could be the flu. If you are exhausted, I would recommend you check with your doctor.
Joan
11:06 AM
For about 2 days I have felt extremely tired with some sneezing, coughing and a 99.9 degree temperature. Should I go see my doctor or just ride it out?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:07 AM
Yes, I recommend you see your doctor.
Meredith Mortensen
11:07 AM
About three days ago I started to have a sore throat and I am now having chills and am exhausted. Is this a regular cold or something else?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:07 AM
See the above answer. It also applies.
Jennifer
11:08 AM
Does a cold present differently in an infant verus a toddler?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:09 AM
The younger the patient is they usually have more symptoms and ususally it lasts longer.
Diana
11:09 AM
I had a sore throat, fever, stuffiness and cough for about a week, but then the coughing has persisted for about three weeks, and does not seem to be getting better. Should I see a doctor?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:10 AM
I recommend that if the cough doesn't improve in two weeks, to see a doctor. There is a possiblity of sinusitis or pneumonia.
Shannon
11:10 AM
My son often has a runny nose. What does the color of his mucus indicate? Doesn't yellow vs. green indicate something?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:12 AM
It can be yellow or green for both a virus or a bacteria infection. If the duration of the symptoms is more than two weeks, with yellow or green discharge then we think about sinusitis. If it is less than two weeks then a cold is the most common cause.
Meredith Mortensen
11:12 AM
I'm pregnant and still haven't gotten immunized for H1N1. At this point since the flu season is almost over, should I still worry about it?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:13 AM
Yes, I still recommend to get immunized. While there is a decrease in the number of cases currently, we still see a lot of patients with the flu and H1N1.
Jennifer
11:14 AM
What is the difference between a cold and the flu?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:15 AM
A cold is usually has symptoms of coughing, sneezing and runny nose, maybe a mild-grade fever. A flu ususally has the same symptoms in addition to high-grade fever, headache, vomiting, sore throat, body aches and sometimes difficulty breathing.
Shannon
11:15 AM
What is a safe amount of Vitamin C and any other key supplements to give my child to both prevent and/or fend off a cold?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:17 AM
There is no proven studies that show that Vitamin C will help to prevent or treat the cold or flu. So, I don't recommend taking extra Vitamin C only for prevention.
KB
11:17 AM
I have a teenager with seasonal asthma. Do you recommend a swine flu shot for him?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:18 AM
Yes, definitely. Patients with asthma should recieve the swine flu vaccination because the symptoms of flu may have more serious effects on those patients.
Maura Hallam
11:18 AM
If it has been more than 4 weeks since he received the first H1N1 shot, does that make a difference? Will we have to get him a third shot, and make sure they are exactly 4 weeks apart?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:19 AM
No, it is not necessary to give him a third shot.
Jennifer
11:19 AM
It is hard to find cough medicine for kids - what treatments do you recommend?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:20 AM
I usually don't recommend cough medications for cold for two reasons. First, there is no proven study that it is better than no taking medication. Second, because of the possible side effects of these medications. The FDA recommend to not give any cough medications to children less than two years of age because there are some reported cases of death from overdoses from these medications.
Shannon
11:21 AM
During the cold/flu season, is there any increased risk of spreading through indoor swimming pools or do the chemicals kill the germs quick enough?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:22 AM
Any type of direct contact can cause transmission. So there is still a chance of transmission in swimming pools.
Meredith Mortensen
11:22 AM
Are there many side effects that go along with getting the H1N1 shot? I'm still a little nervous to get it.
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:23 AM
There are some side effects like any other vaccination. But still the benefits of the vaccine out-weigh the risks. So far the serious side effects were very low.
Jenny
11:24 AM
There hasn't been much news about the flu lately--is it really still a concern for the year?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:25 AM
Yes, the number of cases has been decreaing since December and the number of doctor visits for flu symptoms has been decreasing in the last four weeks. But we still see some patients with flu symptoms, so it is still a concern.
Shannon
11:25 AM
What hand gels, anti-bacteria gels to you recommend for families with kids? I'm confused by claims that say too much use of anti-bacterial creates an immunity or something?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:26 AM
Most hand gels can help to prevent transmission of the virus. But it is still not 100%. You can't create an immunity by using hand gel.
KB
11:27 AM
After one nasal swine flu dose I developed tightness in my chest and wheezing for about 3-weeks during exercise. I have had no previous history of asthma and the condition went away. Is this a reaction to the swine flu shot? If so... is it seen in adults?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:29 AM
The nasal swine flu vaccine is not recommended for adults or children who have chronic lunch disease. This definitely could have been a reaction to the flu shot and it is seen in adults. I recommend you to follow up with your doctor if your symptoms persist.
Sam
11:29 AM
Do you recommend any particular homeopathic therapies?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:30 AM
I would recommend bed rest and fluids besides that, there are no proven homeopathic therapies for cold and flu.
Ron
11:30 AM
Growing up, my mom used to give us "flat" ginger ale or 7-up soda to help with nausea and maintain fluids. Is that still a good idea or should we have more juice and water? Does it matter?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:33 AM
I don't have a lot of experience with ginger ale, but what we usually recommend pedialyte for children which has electrolyte and sugar in addition to the water. I don't recommend too much water especially for the young children because if it doesn't have the electrolyte and sugar that can cause some problems.
Jennifer
11:33 AM
What are signs of dehydration in children with the flu? What can you do at home, and when do you need to go to the doctor?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:35 AM
Signs of dehydration are decrease wet diapers or urine output and dry mucous membranes like the tongue and decrease activity and sleepiness. Make sure the child is drinking enough fluid at home and you need to go to the doctor if any of the mentioned signs develop or if the child is not able to keep down what he/she is drinking.
Amanda
11:35 AM
My daughter has a very mild egg allergy and her doctor recommended NOT giving her any of the flu vaccinations. Since it is very mild (she still eats produtcs with eggs in them) do you think that the benefits outweigh the risk? She's only 3.
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:36 AM
What are the symptoms of your daughter's allergy?
Maura Hallam
11:36 AM
Do things such as Vicks Vap-o-rub and humidifiers really work to relieve congestion and coughing?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:37 AM
Humidifiers might help. The others have no proof of their benefits.
Ron
11:37 AM
Please set the record straight. Can you catch a cold from going outside in our cold and damp weather with a wet head?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:39 AM
There is a higher chance of catching a cold with a wet head in cold weather. I don't beleive there is any study on that, but from my experience I find this to be true.
Amanda
11:39 AM
She gets a runny nose when she eats eggs, and sometimes an upset tummy (diarrhea)
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:40 AM
I don't believe those symptoms are contraindicated to get the vaccine. But please check with your health care provider before you give it to her. Please explain the allergy symptoms to her doctor.
TS
11:41 AM
How do you care for kids in the hospital with severe flu, dehyration, etc.? How long are they typically in the hospital?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:42 AM
It depends on the individual symptoms. They may stay from 1 day to a few weeks. It really depends on the severity of the symptoms. We usually give IV fluids for dehydration and medications for the influenza and sometimes oxygen or repiratory support if they are in respiratory distress.
Tiffany
11:43 AM
My kids grandparents have been sick with a cold. How long should they be well before we visit again?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:44 AM
They visit when coughing stops and there is no fever.
KB
11:44 AM
What are your suggestions for vitamin D-3 supplementation for teens? Does supplementation support a stronger immune system?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:44 AM
I recommend you to talk to your doctor about this.
Meredith Mortensen
11:44 AM
Is there any evidence that suggests side effects of the H1N1 are higher in pregnant women?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:45 AM
To my knowledge there is no evidence of this.
Diana
11:45 AM
A friend at Church said her kids have RSV. What is it, and should I be worried that it is contagious - that my children will get it too?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:47 AM
RSV is a virus that can cause cold symptoms in children and sometimes it causes lower respiratory symptoms; most commonly bronchiolitis. Yes, it is contagious and there is a chance that your children might get it. Please talk to your doctor if they develop any symptoms like coughing or breathing fast or wheezing.
Amanda
11:47 AM
Hi Dr. Aljabi. My son received the H1N1 vaccine so I haven't been too concerned about the flu, but the last two days he has been running a coughing, runny nose, acting really fussy, and not eating well. He's also pulling at his ears a lot which makes me worry about an ear infection. It seems like more than a cold. Should I take him into his pediatrician?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:49 AM
Yes, I recommend you take him to see his pediatrician mainly for the ear ache and because he is acting fussy. Just of note, even if you have received the H1N1 vaccine there is still a small chance that you can get the H1N1 virus.
Tiffany
11:49 AM
How should I clean my kids toys to prevent the spread of the flu?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:50 AM
If no one at home has symptoms of the flu, there is no need for extra cleaning. If your children have symptoms of flu, then I recommend to clean them with baby wipes or any other alcohol based wipes.
TS
11:51 AM
My grandma is susceptible to getting pneumonia. Should I minimize my child's contact around her during cold/flu season?
Dr. Fadi Aljabi
11:51 AM
Yes, especially if they have any cold or flu symptoms.
Chat Host
11:52 AM
We will be wrapping up the chat in about 5 minutes. Any last questions?
Chat Host
11:55 AM
Thanks to everyone for participating in our first live chat.
Chat Host
11:55 AM
Visit http://kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=MaryBridge&article_set=21805&lic=51&cat_id=189 for our cold and flu symptom guide and more tips for treating colds and flu in children. Visit www.multicare.org again to learn about next month's topic and guest speaker.
TS
11:55 AM
This was great! thank you!