Distinguishing between a basic respiratory illness and a more serious condition in children may pose a challenge for some caregivers.
That’s why a ThedaCare pediatrician offered advice on when to manage the symptoms at home and when to seek help.
“Having a sick child can often be stressful, from the illness itself to the logistical challenges of navigating caregiving amid working and other life obligations,” said Dr. Kevin Gentile with ThedaCare Physicians Pediatrics. “Following a few suggestions may help ease the stress and get you and your child through the illness.”
Respiratory illnesses like the common cold, flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pneumonia are among the most common ailments children experience. Gentile shared general guidelines for helping a little one through such respiratory illnesses, including common symptoms, when to seek care and prevention steps.
Many ailments fall under the umbrella of respiratory viruses. These include the flu, COVID-19, RSV and several other types of viruses lumped under the category of “common cold.”
The average child experiences an estimated six to eight colds each year, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
“Day cares and schools are wonderful places for kids to learn and socialize,” Gentile said. “These environments can also lead to the spread of germs, especially during fall and winter. This is because kids often spend more time indoors and are still learning hygiene habits and building their immune systems.”
Respiratory illness symptoms can have a lot of similarities with their related conditions — flu, RSV, pneumonia, etc. That can make it a challenge to determine the cause of the sickness, Gentile said.
Common respiratory symptoms can include body and muscle aches, congestion, runny nose or sneezing, cough, fatigue and fever, headache and sore throat.
“Knowing exactly which illness your child has isn’t as important as monitoring their symptoms and taking steps to help them feel comfortable as they recover,” Gentile said. “And if they aren’t recovering well, it’s important to know when to get them in to see a medical provider.”
Most kids will recover from a respiratory illness on their own within about a week with comfort measures and home care, Gentile said. As they recuperate, it’s important for children to get plenty of rest and fluids. Over-the-counter fever-reducing medications, including acetaminophen and ibuprofen, may help provide relief.
Gentile said caregivers should consider making an appointment if the child:
• Has a high fever (above 100.4 degrees) and is under 3 months of age.
• Shows signs of dehydration (not urinating regularly).
• Has a cough that worsens or causes trouble breathing.
• Experiences symptoms lasting more than 10 days.
• Has symptoms that fail to improve with over-the-counter medication.
He recommended caregivers seek emergency care for a child exhibiting symptoms such as heavy or fast breathing, blue color around the lips and face, vomiting all food and drink and dehydration.
“It’s difficult for kids to avoid getting respiratory illnesses altogether,” Gentile said. “Fortunately, parents and caregivers can take steps to help reduce the number of times their child gets sick.”
Vaccination is key, he said. He encouraged an annual flu shot for everyone ages 6 months and older. He also recommended vaccination against RSV, pneumonia and COVID-19.
In addition to vaccination, personal hygiene habits may help reduce the number of times children get sick, Gentile said. That means parents and caregivers should help encourage frequent hand washing among children, teach them to cough and sneeze into their elbow, sanitize toys and high-touch surfaces regularly, help kids eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and ensure kids get plenty of sleep.
