How can parents distinguish between COVID-19, flu, and common cold symptoms in children. What are the key differences in symptoms and incubation periods for these illnesses. When should parents seek medical care for a sick child. How can families protect themselves from respiratory illnesses.

Understanding the Symptoms: COVID-19, Flu, and Common Cold

As parents navigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic alongside flu season and common colds, it’s crucial to understand the similarities and differences between these respiratory illnesses. While they share many symptoms due to affecting the respiratory tract, there are key distinctions that can help in identifying the specific illness.

Common Cold Symptoms

• Mild to moderate cough
• Scratchy throat
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Sneezing
• Watery eyes
• Fever (occasionally)

Influenza Symptoms

• Fever or chills
• Headache
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Shortness of breath

COVID-19 Symptoms

• Fever or chills
• Headache
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Shortness of breath
• New loss of taste or smell

The primary difference between COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses is the potential loss of taste or smell. If a child suddenly complains about not being able to taste their favorite meal, this could be a sign of COVID-19 when combined with other symptoms.

Incubation Periods: A Key Factor in Illness Identification

Understanding the incubation periods of these illnesses can help parents determine which illness their child may be experiencing. The incubation period is the time between exposure to the virus and the onset of symptoms.

• Common Cold: 24 to 72 hours
• Influenza: 1 to 4 days
• COVID-19: 2 to 14 days (average of 5 days)

By tracking your child’s interactions and potential exposures, you may be able to use this information to help identify the illness. Can monitoring your child’s social interactions help in determining the cause of their symptoms? Absolutely. Keeping a mental note of who your child has been in contact with and when can provide valuable clues if they fall ill.

When to Seek Medical Care for a Sick Child

Given the similarity of symptoms and the possibility of concurrent infections, it’s crucial to take any illness seriously during this time. If your child becomes sick, they should remain at home except for medical care.

When should parents contact a healthcare provider? It’s advisable to call your child’s primary care provider or a COVID-19 helpline if you’re concerned about severe symptoms or potential exposure. They can guide you on the next steps, which may include:

• COVID-19 testing
• Ensuring adequate rest and hydration
• Administering over-the-counter medications (with professional guidance)
• Isolating the child from other household members and pets
• Monitoring for emergency symptoms

What are the emergency symptoms parents should watch for? Be alert for difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, inability to wake up or stay awake, and bluish lips or face. These symptoms require immediate medical attention.

Protecting Your Family from Respiratory Illnesses

While COVID-19 may be less of a threat than it was two years ago, thanks to vaccination efforts and improved treatments, it’s still important to remain vigilant against all respiratory illnesses. How can families protect themselves from these illnesses?

• Practice good hand hygiene
• Wear masks in public spaces when recommended
• Maintain social distancing when appropriate
• Keep up with vaccinations, including COVID-19 and flu shots
• Ensure proper ventilation in indoor spaces
• Stay home when sick

Is vaccination still important even as the pandemic evolves? Absolutely. Vaccination remains one of the most effective tools in preventing severe illness from COVID-19 and influenza. While no vaccine is 100% effective, they significantly reduce the risk of severe symptoms and hospitalization.

The Importance of Ongoing Vigilance

As we continue to navigate the evolving landscape of respiratory illnesses, it’s crucial for parents to remain informed and vigilant. The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us valuable lessons about public health and personal hygiene that can help protect against a variety of illnesses.

How has the pandemic changed our approach to common illnesses? It has heightened our awareness of symptoms and improved our hygiene practices. Many of the measures we’ve adopted to combat COVID-19, such as regular hand washing and staying home when sick, are effective against other respiratory illnesses as well.

Are these precautions likely to become a permanent part of our lives? While the intensity of precautions may fluctuate based on current health risks, many of these practices are likely to remain beneficial in the long term. They not only protect against COVID-19 but also help reduce the spread of other common illnesses.

Navigating School and Childcare During Illness Seasons

As children return to school and childcare settings, parents may face difficult decisions about when to keep their children home. How can parents navigate these decisions responsibly?

• Follow school and childcare facility guidelines
• Keep children home if they show any symptoms of illness
• Communicate openly with teachers and caregivers about your child’s health
• Have a plan in place for unexpected illnesses or quarantine periods

What should parents do if their child has been exposed to a classmate with COVID-19 or another illness? It’s important to follow the guidelines provided by your school and local health authorities. This may include monitoring for symptoms, getting tested, or quarantining for a specified period.

How can schools and childcare facilities contribute to preventing the spread of illnesses? These institutions play a crucial role in maintaining public health. They can implement measures such as:

• Regular cleaning and disinfection of surfaces
• Promoting good hand hygiene among children
• Ensuring proper ventilation
• Implementing policies for sick children to stay home
• Providing clear communication to parents about health policies and any outbreaks

The Role of Mental Health in Physical Wellness

The ongoing concern about illnesses can take a toll on both parents’ and children’s mental health. How does stress impact our immune system? Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, making us more susceptible to illnesses. Therefore, managing stress and maintaining good mental health is an important aspect of overall wellness.

What can families do to support mental health during these challenging times?

• Maintain open communication about fears and concerns
• Engage in regular physical activity
• Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation
• Limit exposure to news and social media if it’s causing anxiety
• Seek professional help if stress becomes overwhelming

How can parents help children cope with the anxiety of potential illness? It’s important to provide age-appropriate information, maintain routines as much as possible, and model calm behavior. Emphasize the things within their control, such as hand washing and wearing masks when necessary.

The Future of Respiratory Illness Management

As we move forward, what can we expect in terms of managing respiratory illnesses? The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated research and development in various areas of medicine and public health. We may see advancements in:

• Rapid diagnostic tests for various respiratory illnesses
• Improved treatments for viral infections
• Enhanced vaccine technologies
• Better air filtration systems for public spaces
• Increased use of telemedicine for initial assessments

How might these advancements change how we approach common illnesses in the future? We may see a shift towards more proactive and preventive approaches to health. This could include regular screening for respiratory viruses, especially during peak seasons, and more personalized approaches to treatment based on an individual’s risk factors and genetic profile.

Will the lessons learned from COVID-19 help us better prepare for future pandemics? Undoubtedly. The global response to COVID-19 has highlighted both strengths and weaknesses in our public health systems. This knowledge will be invaluable in preparing for and responding to future health crises.

As we continue to navigate the complexities of respiratory illnesses, staying informed, maintaining good hygiene practices, and prioritizing both physical and mental health will remain crucial. By working together and applying the lessons learned, we can create a healthier future for our children and communities.

Help! Does My Child Have COVID-19, the Flu, or Just a Cold?

A cough.
A sneeze.
A stuffy nose.
A tickle in their throat.

Most years, your child experiencing any of these minor symptoms of illness wouldn’t be a huge cause for concern. You may have chalked them up to run-of-the-mill cold or flu, leading to an earlier bedtime, extra fluids, or medication.

Now, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, hearing a cough in the other room may stop you in your tracks — and rightfully so. Even though nearly 80% of Americans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and children ages 6 months and older are eligible for the vaccine, COVID-19 is not over.

Those who are not fully vaccinated and boosted against the virus still run the risk of catching — and spreading — the virus. And while most people who get COVID-19 are unvaccinated, no vaccine is 100% effective. This means that even those who are fully vaccinated can still become sick with COVID-19.

As we head into flu season, the prime time of year for the common cold, and ongoing COVID-19 concerns, it can be helpful to know the difference among these illnesses.

Cold, Flu, and COVID-19: Similar Symptoms — With Some Important Differences

Though colds, influenza, and COVID-19 are all caused by different viruses, they all infect the respiratory tract. This is the part of the body that goes through the nose, down the mouth and throat, and into the lungs. Because of this, these illnesses share many symptoms — but there are a few key differences among them.

The common cold tends to be fairly mild. Fevers and headaches are rare, chills are uncommon, and coughing usually remains mild to moderate.

On the other hand, the flu and COVID-19 can be a little more tricky to differentiate. Both range from no symptoms at all (called being asymptomatic) to severe symptoms. However, one primary difference between the two is that COVID-19 can lead to changes in or loss of taste or smell. That means if your child suddenly complains about not being able to taste their favorite meal, this — alongside other symptoms — might be a sign of COVID-19.

The Timing of Symptoms Matters

While the symptoms themselves may overlap a bit, the timing of those symptoms may help you determine what illness your child has. This is called the incubation period — or how long it takes symptoms to appear after exposure.

Though incubation periods can vary, they are roughly:

• 24 to 72 hours for a cold
• 1 to 4 days for influenza
• 2 to 14 days for COVID-19, with an average of 5 days

When possible, try to monitor who your child interacts with — and when. By identifying the most recent time your child may have been exposed, you may be able to use that information to help determine which illness your child is experiencing.

What to Do If Your Child Becomes Sick

While the common cold doesn’t generally lead to serious health problems, both the flu and COVID-19 can. Because of the similarity of symptoms and the fact that it’s possible to have more than one of these illnesses at the same time, it’s important to take any sickness seriously right now.

If your child becomes sick, they should not leave home except to get medical care. This means they should avoid public places, such as playgrounds and grocery stores.

While most children can safely recover from all three illnesses at home, if you are concerned about severe symptoms or potential exposure, call your child’s primary care provider or Children’s COVID-19 Help Line at 402-955-3200.

They can help you determine next steps, which may include:

• Getting tested for COVID-19
• Ensuring your child gets plenty of rest and drinks extra fluids
• Giving your child over-the-counter medications to ease symptoms (Do not give any medications to your child without checking with the provider first. )
• Separating your child from other household members and pets — and having them wear a mask when they are not isolated
• Monitoring your child for emergency symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, persistent pain, confusion, inability to wake up, and bluish lips or face

Protecting Your Family From All Illnesses

Thanks to the hard work of scientists and healthcare providers around the globe, COVID-19 is less of a threat than it was two years ago. Still, everyone should remain extra careful of spreading any kind of illness.

The good news is that by taking steps to keep you and your family safe from one illness, you’ll all benefit from protection from colds, the flu, and COVID-19. And by now, these recommendations should be second nature. In order to keep you, your family, and others safe from colds, the flu, and COVID-19, everyone in your family should:

• Wash their hands often, especially after being in public, coughing, or sneezing. Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water aren’t available.
• Avoid large crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
• Get vaccinated against COVID-19 when eligible.
• Wear a mask in required places, such as public transportation and healthcare settings.

Also, be sure to clean and disinfect frequently-touched surfaces, such as tables, doorknobs, and light switches, every day.

Finally, getting your flu shot is more important than ever this year. Anyone over 6 months old is recommended to get the flu shot each year, with rare exceptions, such as a life-threatening allergy to the flu vaccine or any of its ingredients.

While the flu vaccine only protects people from the flu, it also reduces the risk of needing to go to the hospital for flu-related medical care and preserves critical healthcare resources for patients with COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly led to plenty of obstacles, but it’s also reminded everyone how important it is to work together to stay healthy — from colds, the flu, COVID-19, and anything else that comes our way.

Are you concerned whether your child has a cold, the flu, or COVID-19? Reach out to their primary care provider for additional guidance.

Ready to schedule your child’s COVID-19 vaccination? Head to Children’s Connect or call 402-955-SHOT.

Making Sense of Symptoms | Coronavirus vs. Cold vs. Flu vs. Allergies

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Your guide to avoiding coronavirus, flu and confusion this flu season.

It sometimes feels like the more we learn about coronavirus, the harder it is to discern it from other illnesses.

Now, flu season is upon us now, which is sure to present perplexing questions: Does having a fever mean I have COVID? Is this stuffy nose the result of a cold, or could it be the flu? Or allergies?

There are at least a dozen symptoms shared by some or all of those ailments, making it nearly impossible to know what you have without a diagnostic test, a medical exam or both.

The good news is that, in many cases, you don’t need to know the cause in order to know what to do. The key is to watch for changes in your or family’s health and to respond promptly.

To help, we’ve put together this side-by-side comparison of symptoms as a quick reference.

CORONAVIRUS vs. COLD vs. FLU vs. ALLERGIES

There are lots of similarities between illness from the coronavirus and the flu, but there are some differences that help doctors distinguish them.

A key difference is the incubation period for the viruses — that is, the time it takes to develop symptoms after exposure to it. The flu always strikes quickly, typically one to three days. Coronavirus, however, can take anywhere from two to 14 days. Which is why it’s important to isolate right away after being exposed so as not to unknowingly infect others.

People usually recover from the flu in seven to 10 days, while it’s believed that it takes at least 10 days to recover from the coronavirus, especially those with severe cases, which can mean several weeks or even months of gradual recovery.

The symptoms themselves are a bit more tricky to distinguish. Below is a list of 12 symptoms that are easily confused among coronavirus, the flu, the cold and allergies.

Fever: Coronavirus and flu both cause fever, but it’s rare for the common cold. COVID-19 patients usually have a fever of 100 F or higher, while flu sufferers often experience fever of 100F to 102F that lasts three to four days.

Headache: COVID-19 patients sometimes have headaches. Flu sufferers often experience intense headaches. Headaches are rare with the cold, but sometimes caused by allergies.

Extreme exhaustion: Patients with the coronavirus sometimes experience this intense form of fatigue, but it typically progresses slowly. Flu, on the other hand, often causes severe exhaustion as an early symptom.

Body aches and pains: The flu virus often causes body aches that are severe. Aches are sometimes present with coronavirus, but not always.

Fatigue and weakness: Very similar to body aches, fatigue and weakness are more common and usually more severe with the flu than with the coronavirus.

Stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, sore throat: One or more of these are sometimes present with the flu, but they’re all rare for the coronavirus.

Cough: Common to both flu and coronavirus.

Shortness of breath: A serious symptom which occurs in severe cases of coronavirus, but rarely with the flu. Seek immediate medical attention immediately if you experience this life-threatening symptom.

Diarrhea: Sometimes caused by both coronavirus and the flu.

Emergencies

Cough

Cough is probably the most common problem parents face. Very often, a cough, even if it sounds scary, has a harmless cause and goes away on its own. Sometimes coughing is a serious symptom. Let’s try to figure out how to behave when a child coughs and when to start sounding the alarm.

What is a cough?

Cough is a protective reflex designed to clear the airways. During a cough push, the air abruptly leaves the lungs and forces everything that interferes with breathing – sputum and foreign bodies – to come out. If you think about the mechanism of coughing, it becomes clear that it is far from always necessary to “suppress” it.

What causes and what does a cough look like?

The most common cause of cough is a viral infection. Viruses can cause damage to the respiratory tract at different levels – from the nose (with a common cold) to the bronchi, bronchioles and lungs, and coughing is a common symptom in all these diseases. For example, sore throat and nasal discharge flowing down the back of the throat irritate the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract and stimulate the cough reflex. Due to irritation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx, a dry, hacking cough occurs, which will definitely pass without treatment, but in the acute period it can be quite frequent and painful, and even disrupt night’s sleep. A runny nose and discharge along the back of the throat provoke a wet cough, while the child begins to cough when changing position of the body, especially in the morning and at night when he gets up, lies down or rolls over. If the virus infects the mucous membrane of the larynx, a false croup develops, that is, swelling and, as a result, narrowing of the lumen of the larynx, which is accompanied by a “barking” cough, hoarseness, and a characteristic noisy breath (the so-called stridor). With inflammation of the bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli – bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia, respectively – sputum accumulates in the lumen of the respiratory tract, swelling of the mucous membrane occurs, resulting in cough and shortness of breath. Unlike viral bronchitis and bronchiolitis, pneumonia is more commonly caused by bacteria and is accompanied by fever in addition to coughing and shortness of breath. In bronchial asthma, bronchospasm and accumulation of thick sputum in them occur after contact with an allergen, which also provokes a cough.

When should an ambulance be called for a child with a cough?

If the child does not have the most severe symptoms, but the child is concerned, see a doctor. An important sign of trouble is the appearance of the child – if he is lethargic, looks sick and if you cannot attract his attention and catch his eye. Shortness of breath, that is, rapid breathing, accompanied by an effort of the respiratory muscles and retraction of the intercostal spaces and the jugular fossa (depression above the sternum), is a sign that indicates damage to the lower respiratory tract. If you notice shortness of breath in a child, be sure to consult a doctor. Increased body temperature, especially fever above 39- 40 ° C, also requires that the child be examined by a doctor, as cough and fever can be symptoms of pneumonia.

Special attention should be given to children in the first months of life, because in young children, serious illnesses can be erased, and the condition may worsen suddenly. If you have a fever (that is, if the child’s rectal temperature is > 38 ° C) in children under three months old, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Should yellow or greenish sputum cause concern?

Yellow or green sputum does not always indicate a bacterial infection. With viral bronchitis and bronchiolitis, the yellow-green color of sputum is associated with the fact that cells of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, which the virus has damaged, enter the sputum. As a new mucous membrane is formed, the desquamated cells come out with sputum, so there is no need to be scared if the child coughs up yellow or even greenish sputum, since in most cases this is a normal manifestation of a viral infection that does not require antibiotics.

What should I do if my child coughs at night?

Most often, nocturnal cough is associated with the fact that when the child lies in bed, discharge from the nose and paranasal sinuses drain into the throat and cause a cough reflex. When a child rolls over in bed or gets up from a horizontal to an upright position, a coughing fit occurs. In such cases, the doctor will prescribe a topical treatment for the child to reduce the runny nose and, as a result, reduce the cough.

Night cough also occurs with pathology of the lower respiratory tract. Therefore, if your child is concerned about a nighttime cough, consult a doctor.

What if the child coughs to vomit?

If your child has a paroxysmal cough before vomiting, contact your pediatrician as this may be a symptom of whooping cough. Whooping cough is especially dangerous for children in the first months of life. Sometimes whooping cough develops even in children who were vaccinated against it, but a lot of time has passed since the last revaccination.

Some children have a very easy gag reflex and may vomit when they cough, even if the cough is simply due to a runny nose. If vomiting occurs against the background of coughing, feed the child more often, but in small portions.

Prolonged cough

It is not uncommon for a prolonged cough to be caused by several successive viral infections. The child does not have time to recover from one infection and picks up another. In this case, the cough can last for several weeks and greatly frighten parents, although its cause is trivial.

However, a prolonged cough may be associated with allergies, including bronchial asthma, as well as whooping cough and other diseases of the respiratory tract and ENT organs (a chronic cough may even be due to earwax plugs in the ears!), so in case of persistent cough, consult your doctor.

How to treat a cough?

Cough can have many causes, and each case is treated differently. Show the child to the doctor to understand what the cough is connected with and how to help the child.

If the cough is accompanied by sputum production (wet, productive cough), sputum production should be stimulated to facilitate expectoration. Give your child more fluids (for example, apple juice or warm chicken broth can be given if age-appropriate and not allergic to these foods). If the air in the children’s bedroom is dry, install a humidifier.

Fight nonproductive (dry) cough by reducing upper airway irritation. To soften the cough and soothe the airways, give the child a drink of water or apple juice, this also helps with a coughing fit. Avoid giving carbonated drinks or citrus drinks as they can irritate inflamed mucous membranes. If the child is intolerant of honey, try giving it. Children over 6 years old can suck on cough drops. If a cough interferes with sleep, going to kindergarten and school, consult a doctor, he will prescribe an antitussive.

Steam in the bathroom can help with a fit of coughing. Go into the bathroom, close the door, turn on the hot shower and wait a few minutes. After the bath is filled with steam, go there with the child, sit for about 20 minutes. Try reading a book or playing with the child so that he is distracted.

Smoking is strictly prohibited at home! This contributes to frequent respiratory infections in the child and aggravates their course.

Medicines such as antibiotics and inhaled bronchodilators, anti-inflammatory and mucolytic drugs are prescribed only by a doctor and are not required in every case.

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Fever

Fever is an increase in body temperature of more than 38 ºС. Some symptoms and laboratory and instrumental studies help to understand the cause of the fever and prescribe the necessary treatment.

If the fever is accompanied by a runny nose, cough, and “red throat”, the most likely cause is a viral infection. Since antibiotics have no effect on viruses, antibiotic therapy in case of a viral infection is not prescribed.

High fever (greater than 39°C) with chills should alert. Other symptoms that require immediate medical attention are the refusal of the child to eat and drink, severe lethargy, lack of “eye” contact with the child.

Parents should know how to help a child with a fever .

Only ibuprofen (10 mg/kg per dose) and paracetamol (15 mg/kg per dose) are allowed for use in children. From drugs based on ibuprofen in a pharmacy, you can buy nurofen, and from drugs based on paracetamol – panadol, cefecon, efferalgan. Metamizole sodium (or analgin), including as part of a “lytic mixture”, can cause severe blood complications, and nimesulide (nimulide, nise) can cause life-threatening liver damage. If the child does not have a severe background pathology, such as heart disease or epilepsy, and if he satisfactorily tolerates fever (is interested in others, does not refuse to drink, does not complain of pain), antipyretic drugs are given at a temperature of 38.5 – 39ºС and above.

And there is no need to achieve a decrease in body temperature immediately to 36.6 ºС! A good effect is considered to be a decrease in fever to 38 ºС. Safe and effective methods of physical cooling are rubbing with water at room temperature (not alcohol or vinegar!), which allows you to reduce body temperature by 0. 5 – 1.0 ºС in a few minutes. However, if the child has chills, if he has cold hands and feet, rubbing will not be effective. In such cases, massage of the hands and feet helps, which reduces vasospasm and improves peripheral circulation, and antispasmodic drugs, such as no-shpa, are also used.

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False croup

In babies, false croup occurs quite often, so mothers need to know about it. Only parents can notice the first signs of narrowing of the larynx in time and help the child in time. The reason is viral infections. In children under 5 – 6 years of age, the airways are narrower than in adults, and therefore croup develops much more often.

What is false croup?

Croup is difficulty in breathing due to constriction of the larynx. To feel where the larynx is, you can put your hand on the front of the neck and make any sound – the larynx will vibrate.

This part of the airway is quite narrow, and if the mucous membrane swells, it can completely block the lumen of the larynx, and air will not enter the lungs. In children under 5 – 6 years of age, the airways are narrower than in adults, and therefore croup develops much more often.

Unlike false, true croup begins with diphtheria, when the lumen of the larynx is blocked by dense films. Thanks to vaccinations (DPT, ADS-M), this disease, fortunately, has become rare.

Pseudocroup is caused by acute viral infections (eg parainfluenza virus or respiratory syncytial virus). The mucous membrane becomes inflamed, swells, and although films do not form, as in diphtheria, the result is the same – it is difficult for the child to breathe.

How does it all start?

Usually, the usual symptoms of acute respiratory infections appear first, i. e. runny nose, cough, fever. The first signs of the proximity of a false croup appear or intensify in the evening – this is a growing dry “barking” cough and a hoarse voice.

Then the breath becomes “noisy” – at first only during crying or anxiety, that is, when the baby breathes deeper and faster. After a while, these symptoms persist even in a calm state.

With croup, it is difficult for the baby to inhale exactly, that is, the inhalation turns out to be noisy, with effort, and the exhalation remains normal. During inhalation, you can notice how the jugular fossa (depression in the lower part of the neck between the collarbones) is drawn inward.

Is it possible to prevent false croup?

There are pathogens that most often cause croup: parainfluenza virus, influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus. If a child has contracted this particular infection, the risk of developing croup is high, and, unfortunately, there are no remedies that protect against it.

There are children who get colds without this complication, but in some the mucous membrane is more prone to swelling, and if one episode of difficulty breathing with acute respiratory infections has already been, it is likely that such conditions will recur. Parents need to be ready for them – until the child grows up, and the croup ceases to threaten him.

What to do with false croup?

If you notice its signs, first of all, you need to calm yourself and the child, because when you are excited, the muscles of the larynx contract, and it becomes even harder to breathe.

For a “barking” cough, as long as breathing is silent and not labored, steam inhalation may help. Turn on hot water in the bathroom, let the child breathe in moist air for a few minutes.

If this does not help and breathing becomes difficult (noisy breathing, indrawing of the jugular fossa), call an ambulance and continue to do steam inhalation until it arrives. The doctor will prescribe special inhalations with a local hormonal preparation for croup. Don’t let the word “hormonal” scare you, because this drug works only in the respiratory tract, eliminating inflammation, and no other medicine for false croup will not be so effective. In severe cases, the doctor will inject a hormone (prednisolone or dexamethasone) intramuscularly. Don’t worry about side effects because short cycles of hormones are safe and life-saving in these situations.

If you are offered to hospitalize your child, do not refuse, because after temporary relief, breathing problems may recur.

There are conditions that can be confused with false croup, such as inflammation of the epiglottis (cartilage that closes the larynx when swallowing). This disease is called epiglottitis: the child’s temperature rises above 39 degrees, there is a severe sore throat, the mouth is difficult to open, and hormonal preparations do not help the child.

If the epiglottis is inflamed, the child is admitted to the hospital and treated with antibiotics. But this disease is rare, and false croup is caused by viruses, so it makes no sense to take antibiotics.

Is it possible to stop an attack of croup on your own?

If it is not the first time that a child has false croup, you can take home a special device for inhalation – a nebulizer (choose a compressor model, since ultrasound can destroy drugs used for croup). Your doctor will tell you what medication to have at home and how much to use if needed.

The child can return to kindergarten as soon as the body temperature returns to normal and the child feels well.

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Vomiting and diarrhea

Acute gastroenteritis is characterized by an increase in body temperature (from subfebrile condition to high fever), vomiting, stool thinning. Rotavirus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis. The most severe is the first episode of rotavirus gastroenteritis in children from 6 months to 2-3 years. The peak incidence of this infection occurs in the winter – spring.

The danger of viral gastroenteritis is associated with rapid dehydration and electrolyte disturbances due to loss of water and salts in loose stools and vomiting. Therefore, feeding the child is of fundamental importance. In order not to provoke vomiting, you need to drink fractionally (1 – 2 teaspoons), but often, if necessary, every few minutes. For convenience, you can use a syringe without a needle or a pipette. In no case should you drink the child with just water, this only exacerbates electrolyte disturbances! There are special saline solutions for drinking – rehydron (optimally ½ sachet per 1 liter of water), Humana electrolyte, etc.

Daily fluid requirement is shown in the table:

Child weight Daily fluid requirement
2-10 kg 100 ml/kg
10 – 20 kg 1000 ml + 50 ml/kg for each kg over 10 kg
> 20 kg 1500 ml + 20 ml/kg for each kg over 20 kg

In addition, current fluid losses with loose stools and vomiting are taken into account – for each episode of diarrhea / vomiting, an additional 100 – 200 ml of fluid is given.

Intravenous rehydration (fluid replenishment with drips) is done only for severe dehydration and persistent vomiting. In all other cases, you need to drink the child – it is safe, effective and painless.

Smecta (but do not give smecta if it induces vomiting), espumizan or Sab simplex are used as adjuvants. Enterofuril is not recommended for use, as it is not effective either in viral infections or in invasive bacterial intestinal infections. In the diet during the acute period, fresh vegetables and fruits (except bananas), sweet drinks are excluded, and whole milk is limited only in older children.

Parents need to be aware of the first signs of dehydration – a decrease in the frequency and volume of urination, thirst, dry skin and mucous membranes. With increasing dehydration, the child becomes lethargic, stops urinating, thirst disappears, the skin loses turgor, and the eyes “sink”. In this case, there is no time to waste, it is necessary to call a doctor and hospitalize the child.

The appearance of blood and mucus in the stool in a child should be alerted, because this is typical for bacterial enterocolitis. Stool with such infections is not large (in contrast to copious watery stools with rotavirus infection), false urge to defecate and abdominal pain may be noted. Drinking water in such cases may not be enough, and, as a rule, antibiotics are required.

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Pneumonia

One of the serious diseases in children is pneumonia, or pneumonia. Pneumonia can pose a threat to a child’s life. Fortunately, modern medicine has learned to cope well with pneumonia, and this disease can be completely cured in most cases. Therefore, if your baby gets sick with fever and cough, contact your pediatrician. If pneumonia is suspected, a doctor may order an x-ray of the lungs to confirm the diagnosis.

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung tissue, that is, the deepest part of the respiratory system. Normally, gas exchange occurs in the lungs, that is, oxygen from the air enters the blood, and carbon dioxide is released from the blood into the environment. When part of the lung is inflamed, the breathing function in the affected lung is affected and the child develops shortness of breath, that is, rapid and labored breathing. Substances produced during the immune system’s fight against bacteria cause fever (if the body temperature rises above 38 ° C, this is called a fever). The accumulation of sputum in the alveoli and bronchi and swelling of the mucous membrane stimulate the cough reflex, and a cough occurs. If the focus of pneumonia is near the lining of the lung, called the pleura, chest pains may occur when breathing and coughing.

What causes pneumonia?

There are many infections that can cause pneumonia. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of so-called “typical” pneumonia. Pneumococcal pneumonia is accompanied by fever, cough, shortness of breath, lethargy, and decreased appetite. Less commonly, pneumonia is caused by other pathogens – hemophilus influenzae (Haemophilus influenzae) type b, pyogenic streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes) and Staphylococcus aureus (Staphylococcus aureus). “Atypical” pneumonia, which is usually milder and quite contagious, is caused by mycoplasmas and chlamydia. Less commonly, pneumonia is caused by viruses (adenovirus, RS virus) – such pneumonias are rare and can be very difficult. Pneumonia can develop suddenly or be a complication of the flu.

What are the symptoms of pneumonia?

The most important symptom of pneumonia is fever. In a young child, fever may be the only manifestation. Fever above 39.5°C with chills and fever that is poorly reduced after taking antipyretic drugs should be especially alert. Although not always a high fever that does not respond well to antipyretics is a symptom of pneumonia. This may be a manifestation of a respiratory viral infection.

The second important symptom of pneumonia is a cough. The nature of the cough matters. Particularly alarming are the “deep” cough, cough at night and cough before vomiting.

Severe pneumonia is usually accompanied by shortness of breath, that is, rapid and labored breathing. Sometimes a symptom of pneumonia is pain in the abdomen, which occurs due to irritation of the pleura (lung membrane) during inflammation of the lung area adjacent to the pleura and due to frequent coughing and, accordingly, tension in the abdominal muscles.

Very important signs that speak in favor of pneumonia are symptoms of intoxication, such as fatigue, weakness, refusal to eat and even drink. At the same time, unlike pneumococcal pneumonia, with mycoplasmal pneumonia, the child may feel well.
Coughing and wheezing in the lungs are symptoms not only of pneumonia, but also of bronchitis. It is very important that the doctor distinguishes pneumonia from bronchitis, since antibiotics are not always required for bronchitis and only if its mycoplasmal etiology is suspected.

What can happen if pneumonia is not treated?

This is fraught with complications that are more likely to occur if pneumonia is left untreated. Complications of pneumonia are inflammation of the pleura (pleurisy) and the formation of a cavity in the lung filled with pus (lung abscess). In such cases, a longer course of antibiotics will be required, and sometimes the help of a surgeon.

How to treat pneumonia?

If you have bacterial pneumonia, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. The doctor will decide which antibiotic to choose depending on the suspected cause of the pneumonia. In most cases, the child can be given the antibiotic by mouth (as a suspension or tablets) rather than by injection. The effect of the antibiotic occurs within 24-48 hours. If after 1 – 2 days the child does not feel better and the temperature rises, consult a doctor again.

Usually a child with pneumonia can be treated at home. Hospitalization is required for severe and complicated pneumonia, when the child needs intravenous antibiotics, supplemental oxygen, pleural punctures, and other serious medical interventions.
Give the child an antipyretic (ibuprofen or paracetamol) if the body temperature rises above 38.5 to 39°C. Antitussives, such as butamirate (Sinekod drug), are contraindicated in pneumonia.

Can pneumonia be prevented?

There are vaccines designed to protect against pneumococcus and Haemophilus influenzae, which cause the most severe forms of pneumonia (against pneumococcus – vaccines “Prevenar”, “Pneumo 23”, against Haemophilus influenzae – “Act-HIB”, “Hiberix”, a component against Haemophilus influenzae sticks are part of the Pentaxim vaccine, components against pneumococcus and Haemophilus influenzae are simultaneously part of Synflorix). Since pneumococcal pneumonia often develops as a complication of influenza, influenza vaccination is useful. It is very important that parents do not smoke in the presence of a child, as secondhand smoke makes the lungs weak and vulnerable.

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