Kidstuff Kidstuff By Paul L. Marz, M.D.
It’s flu time again!
For those of you who have had the flu, my apologies for not getting this article out sooner. For those of you just getting ill, this one’s for you! (Or you can cut it out and save for latter.)
OK, you are not sick…yet. Just a review, Flu season is right about now. It peaks sometime from January to March. Just remember to not smoke around children…or people, you included. Wash your hands after being in public, or having contact with someone who is ill. Be nice to others when you are ill by coughing into a tissue or away from others. This is just being polite. Avoid close contact with anyone who is ill (kissing / holding). At home, regularly clean off doorknobs, dials or other things an ill person has touched.
So, you are sick. Sorry about that. The most effective proven method of preventing illness has been touted for years and years. We continue to ignore this advice. Remember what you have been told over the years? Well, it has not changed. (Plenty of rest, a healthy and nutritious diet, and regular exercise.) Ok, what to do now. How can you tell if it is a head cold, and not something “dangerous”?
The flu and a head cold are both viruses and which one do you have this time? Now if you have chest pain, severe illness or other symptoms not outlined here, call your doctor for evaluation. But if not, and you’re wondering what you have, consider the following:
First and foremost, is there a fever? Your typical head cold will not often give you a fever. Now for the fine print: Infants and small children are the exception. Those helpless cute little bundles of love will do whatever it takes to give you gray hair. Fever itself is not a bad thing. It is a symptom. Of itself, it is not a disease. Fever is the body at work. When you crank up the engine in the car, you expect it to get hot. The body is no different. Next time you have the urge and don’t successfully suppress it, take your temperature after running two miles in 15 minutes. So, how hot is too hot? Studies to date show no permanent harm until the temperature is up to 107 or so. Up to 104, there is no need to sponge off the child. Less than 102 and the child looks fine, I would not even treat them. So in conclusion:
So, summing up the basics, for a cold, a temperature is rare, but for the flu, 102 to 104 for three or four days is common.
Next, is there a Headache? Sudden onset and impressive? Yep, the flu! Colds rarely cause headache unless you are prone to them anyway.
Muscle Aches? The flu holds the record on this one, Colds try but they’re only mildly successful at it.
Fatigue and loss of get up and go? The flu can zap you for a week or two, but not colds. Runny nose, sore throat, sneezing? Give your cold a point for each!
How about a cough? No help there as they both can do that one. So now you are the expert, just add up the points and congratulations! Just don’t let it go to your head. Drink plenty of liquids, eat healthy foods and get enough rest.
(Dr. Marz, a board certified pediatrician, is supervising physician for the Town of Barnstable school system. He practices with Bass River Pediatrics in South Yarmouth.)