Got sniffles and a sore throat? Here’s your game plan
It’s that time of year to wonder if your child’s (or your own) runny nose and sore throat means you have to take a sick day or if you can go about your usual activities.
Several respiratory infections start out with similar cold-like symptoms. It’s less important to know which virus or bacteria caused them and more important to know if it’s reasonable to send the kids to school or daycare, said Jordan Marmet, MD, a board-certified pediatric hospitalist with M Health Fairview and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
“The sniffles are one thing, kids are going to get the sniffles,” said Aimee Nelson, director of children’s services with M Health Fairview, “But a cough is something to be a little bit more curious about and if they have a fever, you should see what’s going on.”
This is especially true for babies who are still building up their immune systems. It’s time to get medical care if you’re seeing symptoms like:
- Shortness of breath
- Concerning noisy breathing
- Coughing more than 10 days
- Fever that lasts several days or that goes away and comes back
If you’re ever unsure of where to get care, call the 24-hour nurse line at 1-855-FAIRVIEW for the quickest response. You can also send a message to your primary care provider. Urgent care is another option.
If you or a loved one isn’t feeling well, here’s your game plan.
For mild symptoms
If symptoms are mild like sniffles and a headache, you can mostly carry on with your plans. If your plans involved singing at a senior center or visiting your newborn nephew, though, reschedule. It’s best to stay away from people who are at high risk of complications from an infection until you’re symptom-free.
For the most part, you just need to let the illness run its course. You can ease symptoms by:
- Using a humidifier if the air in your home is dry.
- Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Using over-the-counter medicines for cough and cold for people over age 6. Talk to your child’s doctor about medicine for younger kids.
- Using a spoonful of honey to ease a sore throat in people over age 1.
- Getting plenty of rest.
It used to be common to get an antibiotic or a “Z pack,” for a cold, but those medications only work when bacteria are present. They aren’t effective against viruses. Overuse of antibiotics is leading to resistant “super bugs,” that then require more or stronger antibiotics.
“We understand that you want to feel better, and we want to help you feel better,” Nelson said. “And we have to use the right tools to make sure that can happen, which doesn't always equal an antibiotic.”
For fever, vomiting, or diarrhea
If symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or you’ve had a positive influenza or COVID-19 test, help prevent spreading illness by staying home. Kids need to be out of school or daycare until their symptoms are improving, and they haven’t had a fever for at least 24 hours. Your school or daycare might have additional requirements. If someone sick must go out, they should wear a mask, cover coughs and sneezes, and clean their hands frequently.
For lingering symptoms or difficulty breathing
If symptoms include a bad cough or one that lasts longer than about 10 days, difficulty breathing, difficulty keeping enough fluids down, a high fever, or a fever that persists or keeps coming back for more than three days, you should have your child seen by a healthcare provider.
What you can do to help prevent spread of infections
Take a test
At-home tests are available for COVID-19 and recently also for influenza. Testing won't help you feel better, but it could prevent you from spreading the infection to someone else. If you test positive and have been around others, let them know, so they can get medication if needed. Taking antiviral medications (Paxlovid for COVID and Tamiflu for influenza) could help reduce the risk of getting a severe case. Call the nurse line or your doctor to see if it’s right for you.
A negative test doesn’t mean it’s safe to go to work or school though. For example, gastroenteritis, which is what many people call a stomach flu isn’t actually influzenza and won’t lead to a positive test. But the symptoms are similar.
Stay home
Viruses can still be spread even after a person is feeling better, but it’s less likely. Take precautions by wearing a mask, keeping 6 feet between you and others, and waiting to visit vulnerable people, like babies and older adults for at least 5 days.
Wash up
Viruses easily spread to others through the air or touching contaminated surfaces like doorknobs and bus handrails. Avoid touching your face in shared spaces and wash hands or use hand sanitizer after using the restroom and before eating.
“We want to try to prevent transmission from happening,” Nelson said. "Personal hygiene is a really important part of that, so encourage kids to wash their hands when they get home from school and before they eat because kids are touching everything.”
Get your vaccines
To help protect against getting sick, you and your family members can get yearly flu and COVID-19 vaccines. RSV vaccines are available for young children, people who are pregnant, and people over age 75. Before you get sick is a great time to get your annual vaccines – or wait until your symptoms improve to get them.
The DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis) vaccine can help protect against whooping cough (pertussis). Most babies are vaccinated, then get a booster every 10 years, starting at age 11.
