How do you know when it is necessary to call your pediatrician? Lots of moms worry that they call too often, and let’s face it, none of us wants to get a reputation with our pediatrician as the resident hysterical pest. However, if your child does have the flu, it is important to talk to your pediatrician. The question is, how do you know if what your child has is actually the flu or just a common cold? Throw in the prevalence of seasonal allergy symptoms and it can be really hard to tell exactly what is going on with your child.

Both the cold and the flu are respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. Typically, the cold is milder than the flu and generally doesn’t result in serious health problems. It may be difficult to tell the difference between the two, but according to the National Institutes of Health there are some obvious differences in symptoms.

Symptoms the cold and flu may have in common:

General aches & Pains - Colds sometimes have these, but they are common and often severe with the flu.

Fatigue & weakness – colds are sometimes associated with this, but it usually occurs with the flu and can last up to 2-3 weeks.

Stuffy nose & sneezing – common with colds and sometimes occurs with the flu.

Sore throat – common with colds and sometimes occurs with the flu.

Chest discomfort & cough – mild to moderate with a hack for colds, but can be more severe with the flu.

Symptoms that are not shared by colds and flus:

Fevers - rare in colds, while usually occur with flu (100 F – 102 F, occasionally higher in younger children)

Headache – rare in colds, but common with the flu.

Extreme Exhaustion – never occurs with colds, but it usually occurs with the flu, especially at the beginning of the illness.

Complications of the cold vs. the flu:

The Cold – sinus congestion, middle ear infection, and asthma.

The Flu – Bronchitis, pneumonia, and can be life threatening.

And of course, you know I can’t let you go without offering my personal fail-safe advice…trust your instincts and if you have that “something isn’t right” feeling, make the call!