Cold Or Flu?

What is the difference between the cold and flu? With sick kids all around me, I have asking myself “Is this a cold or flu?”. I did some research, which I thought to share with you, about the symptoms and differences between the common cold and influenza.

My above infographic is simply a guideline (not comprehensive) to answering the question “Is this a cold or flu?”. My son’s runny nose and persistent cough (he’s had for weeks) look to Dr. Mom (that’s me) that he has a cold. My daughter’s sudden intense body aches, chills and general yuck-ness look to be the flu. {Of course, if symptoms get severe I will visit our doctor asap.} But thus far, all seem treatable at home.

For both flu and cold I encourage lots of liquids and rest. In addition, I share a little picture of some of my sickie-go-tos (call it my Dr. Mom not-so-medical kit)… 

• I know, you are asking “Tide?!” – my 2nd daughter has always been a puker (if projectile vomiting were a sport – she’d be Olympic bound). Whenever she gets sick – I know a mountain of icky sheets and pjs are soon to follow.
• TIP: Having two separate medical cabinets help separate which medications are age appropriate for kids. We keep our grown-up sick remedies like Pepto and NyQuil in a separate cabinet from the kids’ pain relievers so that there is no confusion about what kids can and should be taking (you know…in case Dr. Dad doesn’t quite know what kids take).
• This week’s every-night-go-to is Vick’s – I especially love our liquid Vicks which I just drop into toddler son’s humidifier so he can breathe in the nasal decongestant while he sleeps.
• In the pic, are some extra some treats specifically for Dr. Mom (because taking care of those sickies deserves a little self-care doesn’t it?!). Honey & Apricot extract rinse off treatment (smells divine!) and some new deodorant so that I don’t have to sweat the small stuff (well visibly anyway).

It is cold and flu season so be sure to encourage lots of hand washing (especially when the big gets get home from the germ-pools we call schools). Cough into the inside part of your elbow (instead of out into open air). Use a tissue rather than your hand. If you are sick – stay home (I chose to keep dear sick son home from baby gymnastics, this week, rather than expose others.)