Cold vs Flu in Kids: How to Tell the Difference

Cold or Flu: What Ontario Parents Need to Know

When your child is sniffling and miserable, you're probably wondering: is this just a cold or something worse like the flu? Both are viral infections that love to circulate through schools and daycares, but the flu typically hits harder and faster than a cold. The good news is that both usually get better on their own with rest and care.

What's going on?

Colds and flu are both caused by viruses, but different ones. Colds are usually caused by rhinoviruses and tend to develop gradually over a few days. Your child might start with a scratchy throat, then develop a runny nose and mild cough.

The flu, caused by influenza viruses, typically comes on suddenly and affects the whole body. One day your child seems fine, the next they're knocked flat with aches and fever. Flu season in Ontario typically runs from October through April, with peak activity between December and February.

Both infections spread the same way through droplets when people cough, sneeze, or talk. That's why they move so quickly through classrooms and playgroups.

What you might notice

Cold symptoms:

- Runny or stuffy nose

- Mild cough

- Sneezing

- Low or no fever (under 38.5°C)

- Mild tiredness

- Sore throat

Flu symptoms:

- High fever (often 38.5°C or higher)

- Body aches and muscle pain

- Severe tiredness or weakness

- Dry cough

- Headache

- Sometimes nausea or vomiting

What helps at home

Rest is the best medicine for both conditions. Make sure your child gets plenty of sleep and stays hydrated with water, warm broth, or diluted fruit juice. A humidifier or sitting in a steamy bathroom can help with congestion.

For fever and aches, children's acetaminophen or ibuprofen can provide relief. Always follow the dosing instructions on the package based on your child's weight. Honey can soothe coughs in children over 12 months old.

Keep your child home until they're fever free for 24 hours. This helps them recover and prevents spreading the illness to others.

When to worry

Head to the emergency room if your child has trouble breathing, persistent chest pain, severe dehydration, or seems unusually confused or lethargic.

Contact your doctor or text Arlo if your child has a fever lasting more than three days, signs of an ear infection, or if cold symptoms worsen after starting to improve. We can help determine if your child needs to be seen and provide guidance on managing symptoms at home.

The takeaway

Most kids bounce back from colds and flu within a week or two with good home care. Trust your instincts as a parent.

You can always text Arlo and talk to a provider in 5 minutes!

References - [Common cold](https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/health-conditions-and-treatments/commoncold) - [Influenza (flu)](https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/health-conditions-and-treatments/influenzaflu)

- [Fever and temperature taking](https://aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=30&language=english)