Microsoft word - influenza-cold-aller.doc

Savel, Kelly, Boreman, & Odom M.D.’s INFLUENZA
• Influenza or the flu is a severe viral infection of the respiratory tract. • It is extremely contagious through coughing & sneezing with an incubation • Symptoms are much more severe than regular colds.
• Fever is almost always present. It can start suddenly & may last 3-5 days.
• There may be exhaustion or an overall feeling of tiredness & sleepiness.
• Muscle aches are common even to where it is sore to move or touch.
• Congestion, sneezing, coughing & watery eyes are present in both the flu and
colds. The flu commonly leads into chest congestion or pain. • Headache is also present in the flu.
• The flu can be prevented by getting a yearly FLU SHOT.
TREATMENT:
• Antibiotics do not cure the flu. • Get lots of rest & fluids. Offer fever & pain relievers (Tylenol or Motrin) in children older than 2 months for fever or any other physical discomfort. • Also offer cough (Delsym) & cold medicines like antihistamines (Benadryl) to • Apply Vaseline, or antibiotic ointment to nasal openings to prevent & cure irritation or infection of the skin in the nasal area. • Steam showers or a cool-mist humidifier in the bathroom will help to loosen • Nasal saline drops & gentle suctioning may benefit infants & young children. • Cool compresses with damp towels or cloths help reduce fever. • If your child is old enough offer throat lozenges or warm salt-water gargle to • REMEMBER TO WASH HANDS OFTEN TO PREVENT SPREAD!
• The flu can be prevented by getting a yearly FLU SHOT.

Call or bring your child into the office IF:
• Fever is greater than 104 or lasts longer than 2-3 days. • Cough interferes with eating or sleeping & is not relieved with treatments. • Your child is breathing hard, wheezing or has noisy breathing. • Your child develops a rash or is extremely fussy. • Your child is very sleepy or inactive. • Your child is younger than 2 months. • Your child is not eating &/or not wetting diapers as often. • Symptoms last longer than 10 days. • You have any concerns or your child seems worse. Savel, Kelly, Boreman, & Odom M.D.’s FACTS ABOUT COLDS & ALLERGIES
• Colds are caused by one of hundreds of common viruses. • Easily passed from person to person by droplets from sneezing, • Colds are not caused from cold air, getting wet or going outside. • Symptoms of a cold may be fever, headache, tiredness, fussiness, stuffy nose, sneezing, watery eyes, sore throat or cough. • There is no cure for a cold. Antibiotics do not work against colds. • Treatment is to keep your child comfortable with plenty of fluids & pain relievers as needed in children older than 2 months. • Treatment of symptoms, like cough & nasal congestion can be done with saline nose drops or over-the counter cough/cold medicines like Delsym or Benadryl. • Antibiotics may be used to treat bacterial complications of a cold • To prevent colds, wash hands often & keep your distance from • Please call the office if you have concerns about your child.
ALLERGIES (SEASONAL RHINITIS):
• Allergies are caused by airborne irritants or allergens that trigger • Irritants like trees & grass pollens are common in the spring. • Irritants like ragweed pollen, dust & mold are common in the fall. • Symptoms of allergies may be runny or stuffy nose, itchy or watery eyes, headache, sneezing or sore throat. • Prevention is the best treatment. Avoid the allergens by keeping your child indoors or showering/bathing at the end of the day. Cover mattresses & pillows with hypoallergenic covers. • Treatment of symptoms with antihistamines like Benadryl at night or non-sedating loraditine (Claritin or Alavert) for day symptoms may be helpful. • Nasal congestion can also be treated with saline nose drops. • Antibiotics do not work against allergies. • People who have allergies are more prone to problems like ear, sinus or chest infections. Antibiotics are sometimes used to treat these • There are many types of prescription medicines used for allergies. • Please call the office if your child has persistent or severe symptoms.

Source: http://www.happykidsmd.com/Influenza.pdf