Winter can be a tough time for both children and adults to stay healthy. Learning to recognize common winter illnesses can make it easier to care for your child when he or she is sick. Knowing the signs and symptoms to look for can help you decide if a visit to your pediatrician is needed. Based on symptoms alone, determining which disease your child has can be difficult. The majority have a lot in common, so being able to tell the difference is important.
1. Colds
Cold is the most common winter illness that keeps children at home and away from school. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults get an average of 2-3 colds per year, while children get more. It usually lasts 7 to 10 days and can occur at any time of the year.
Symptoms: stuffy/runny nose, cough, sore throat, sneezing, mild fever.
2. RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)
RSV is an infection of the lungs and airways and usually lasts one to two weeks. Respiratory syncytial virus can be dangerous in infants.
Symptoms: Cold-like symptoms accompanied by wheezing/whistle-like breathing that can cause rapid breathing that may require hospitalization.
3. The flu
Flu vaccinations are available in the fall and can help prevent this viral infection that lasts 3 to 7 days. If caught within the first 48 hours, Tamiflu can shorten the duration of the flu.
Symptoms: muscle aches, fever, headache, tiredness, dry cough, runny nose, sore throat.
4. Group
Diphtheria is a viral infection that can last up to a week.
Symptoms: barking cough and hoarseness with hot and runny nose.
5. Pneumonia
A lung infection caused by a virus or bacteria that can last for two to three weeks. Bacterial pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics.
Symptoms: Cough with yellow or green mucus, chest pain, chills, high fever and rapid breathing. Symptoms can appear quickly.
6. Sore throat
A contagious bacterial infection that can last from one to two days. Staph can be easily and quickly treated with antibiotics.
Symptoms: sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever and stomach pain. Sore throat is not accompanied by coughing and runny nose. However, a sandpaper-like rash can occur, leading to the diagnosis of scarlet fever.
7. Stomach flu
A viral infection in the intestine can last from one to three days.
Symptoms: stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, mild fever, fatigue, watery diarrhea.
