With all the sore throats, runny noses, intestinal disorders and allergies that plague our kids, childhood must sometimes seem like a constant blur of illnesses, especially during the colder months. But most of the problems clear up pretty quickly, are not life-threatening, and carry few long-term effects. It is however wise to know about these illnesses, what their symptoms are and what you can do to help your child.
Viruses are all around us, fighting to attack our body and overwhelm us, leaving empty classroom desks and a half empty yard in the school break. Two common viruses seen at around this time are those causing the common cold and those causing influenza (or the flu). These bugs are different, hence we need to deal with them differently.
Common cold
Colds (known medically as upper respiratory infections) affect the air passages in the head, neck and chest. The nose, throat, sinuses, ears, windpipe (trachea) and airways of the lung (bronchi) all can be involved. Without treatment, a cold will improve in a week or two. Colds are the most common illness among children. Although youngsters often feel better within three or four days of developing the infection, they may ‘continue coughing for two to three weeks. Many children have up to six colds a year.
Colds are caused by viruses called Picornavirus and Coronavirus. They can spread easily, especially during the first three or four days of illness. You can catch a cold at home, work, school, or day care by touching someone who has one, or by being nearby when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread from infected tissues which are left lying about irresponsibly by someone who is sick. You are most likely to get a cold in the winter, and are most susceptible if you are tired, under stress, or plagued with allergies (especially hay fever).
Typical symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, headache, cough, sore throat, trouble breathing, fatigue, muscle aches and red, watery eyes. Some people develop a fever.
Over-the-counter medications may relieve a headache, runny nose, or fever. Use them exactly as directed. Always remember that this is a virus and therefore antibiotics cannot cure the common cold.
Tell your child to be careful not to blow his or her nose too hard, or it may cause a nosebleed.
A cool-mist humidifier (vaporiser) increases air moisture so that breathing becomes easier. Do not use hot steam.
It is important to get as much rest as possible and plenty of sleep.
Hands must be washed often, especially after nose blowing. Teach your child to cover his mouth and nose with a tissue when he sneezes or coughs. Throw away tissues immediately. Do not leave them lying about since they will contain an army of viruses ready to attack a new person.
Give your child several glass of clear liquids per day, such as water, unsweetened fruit juice and clear soups.
A youngster with a cold seems sleepier than usual, urinates less than normal, has a dry mouth and cracked lips, cries without tears, or seems dizzy. These are signs of dehydration.
To avoid catching another upper respiratory infection, wash your hands after touching someone who has a cold; avoid crowded places, especially in the winter; and eat a balanced diet.
Keep children at home until any fever has gone.
Call your doctor if your child…
• Develops a high temperature or fever lasts more than a couple of days.
• Has a sore throat that gets worse, or you see white or yellow spots in the throat.
• The cough gets worse or lasts more than 10 days.
• Develops a rash.
• Has large and tender lumps in the neck.
• Develops an earache or a bad headache.
• Has a thick, green or yellow discharge from the nose.
• Coughs up thick yellow, green, grey or bloody mucus.
• If your child’s eyes grow red and become coated with a yellow discharge.
Seek care immediately if…
• Your child has trouble breathing or develops chest pain.
• Your child’s skin or nails look grey or blue.
Flu (influenza)
Flu, known medically as influenza, is an infection of the nose, throat, windpipe and airways in the lung.
Influenza is also caused by a virus called influenza virus which has many types. The germ is quickly spread from an infected person to others by coughing and sneezing.
Typical symptoms of influenza include chills, fever, headache, body aches, sore throat, cough, swollen glands, vomiting and diarrhoea. The child also may have a runny nose; earache; and red, watery, sore eyes. The disease is worst during the first one or two days. Cough and tiredness may last another week or more.
There is no cure for the flu. Antibiotic medicine will not work since this is a virus. Antibiotics have a place if there is a superimposed bacterial infection and your doctor can advise you on this.
The best remedy is plenty of rest and liquids.
Do not give aspirin if a child with influenza is under 18 years of age. This could lead to brain and liver damage (Reye’s Syndrome). Carefully check for aspirin on the label on any over-the-counter medicines.
Over-the-counter medicine will help relieve fever and body aches.
Use a cool-mist humidifier to increase moisture in the child’s room. This will make breathing easier.
The child should rest until his or her temperature is normal (98.6°F or 37°C). This usually takes three to four days.
Give plenty of liquids such as water, unsweetened juice or broth. Do not worry about giving solid food until the child is better.
Wash the child’s hands often to prevent spread of germs. This is especially important after blowing the nose and before touching food. Be sure the child covers his or her mouth when coughing or sneezing.
Keep your child home from day care or school until the fever is gone (usually two or three days).
Call your doctor if…
• The fever lasts more than 36 hours.
• The child has shortness of breath while resting, a deep cough with lots of mucus, or chest pain.
• The child has nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea.
Seek care immediately if...
• Your child is not drinking enough fluids and has signs of water loss such as listlessness, dry mouth, little or no urination, wrinkled skin, no tears, dizziness or, in babies, a sunken soft spot on the top of the head.
• The child has trouble breathing or the skin or nails turn bluish.
• The child develops severe neck pain or stiffness.
• The child acts confused or too sleepy, has changes in behaviour, or has seizures.
• The child has a very high fever.
• The best way to prevent becoming ill with influenza is by getting the influenza vaccine. As the virus changes its form easily over time, we need to get the flu jab every year, usually in November.
Certain children have an increased risk of getting bronchitis or a chest infection which may be serious and require treatment in hospital. These are those who:
• Suffer from asthma.
• Have heart, liver, lung or kidney disease.
• Are diabetic.
• Have a problem with the defence mechanism which fights infections, known as the immune system.
The Department of Health gives the vaccine free of charge to all these children. Parents who wish to protect their healthy children from influenza should speak to their doctor.
What is the difference between a cold and influenza?
Influenza and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar flu-like symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. In general, influenza is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than influenza. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalisations which can occur with influenza especially in high risk groups.
Dr Gauci is the director of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.
Source: Child Magazine, December 2008