Navigate Cold & Flu Season With Tips From South Slope Pediatrics

Cold and flu season is upon us, and families across the city are a coughing, sniffling, miserable mess.

While it’s tough for adults to deal with a cold, watching your kids suffer is the absolute worst, so we sat down with Dr. Hai Cao, pediatrician at South Slope Pediatrics, to talk about the differences between a cold and the flu, when to see the doctor, and how to make children feel more comfortable when a cold or flu bug hits.

SSN: How can you tell the difference between the cold and the flu?
Dr. Cao: Colds usually start with fever and sore throat and runny nose. The runny nose and accompanying cough can last for about a week (and more in some cases). The flu will cause additional symptoms, including higher fever, muscle aches, headaches, extreme exhaustion, vomiting, and diarrhea.

When should you bring your child into the doctor?
Not all colds need to come to the doctor. Go if you have a child that is significantly subdued and inactive, or has a higher fever or muscle aches. While we may not do much for a cold or minor flu symptoms, flu medications to shorten illness can be given within 48 hours of the advent of symptoms.

Is it okay to use over the counter cough or cold medicines?
Cough and cold medications are okay in older kids (>6yo), and should be reserved for nights when they are especially congested and cannot sleep. They are definitely not recommended for the under 3yo crowd.

Is it too late to get a flu shot for your child?
It’s never too late to get the flu vaccine. The flu has actually been at its highest activity in NYC for the past 5 weeks. Nationwide, there have been at least 20 pediatric deaths.

What is the best way to make your child comfortable if they become sick?
The best comfort measures for colds are saline drops and suction in toddlers and infants, along with a crib side humidifier. Cold remedies in older kids are OK, ie 6years and up. If poor oral intake or diarrhea are involved, rehydration fluids and mom’s chicken noodle soup are warranted.

How long should you keep your child home from school with the cold or flu?
To keep other children from getting ill, keep your child home for at least 24 hours within 24hours of a fever or stools leaking out of their diapers.

South Slope Pediatrics located at 501 5th Avenue between 12th and 13th Streets, and is open Mondays from 8am to 6pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 6pm, Wednesdays from 12pm to 7pm, and Fridays from 9am to 5pm. For more information, visit Dr. Cao’s website or call the office directly at 718-576-2450.