How to Know if it’s “Just a Cold”

Short answer: You don’t know!

Allergies, colds, flu…it can be hard to tell these different conditions apart. A cold, also known as a URI (upper respiratory infection), is one of the most common childhood illnesses. The main symptoms that accompany a cold are a runny nose, a cough and fever.

It is important to remember that a cough can last up to three weeks, while the other cold symptoms will subside. If your child is younger than four years old, do not give them cough medicine. Stick with honey or a humidifier. The fever portion of a cold typically lasts less than three days, and your child is usually no longer contagious when the fever breaks. But all of the nose and throat symptoms can take longer to subside.

A cold might be something more if they have ear pain, fast breathing, or yellow discharge from the ears or eyes. Even healthy children can expect to have several colds throughout the year.

Typically, if your child is suffering from allergies, they will also have itchy eyes/throat/body. The flu has a more severe cough, fever, cold, and your child will like have body aches and chills.

Colds typically go away on their own and do not require a doctor visit. Children are likely to have had at least eight colds by the time they are two years old. However, infants should be taken to a pediatrician at the first sign of illness and other young children should be taken when the following signs appear:

• Symptoms last more than 10 days
• Lips turn blue
• Ear pain
• Temperature above 102℉

Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care is an urgent care for children from the ages of 0-21 years old. Accredited by the Urgent Care Association, Little Spurs has multiple locations in San Antonio and Houston. Clinics are open seven days a week; Mon- Fri 9a-9p, Sat 9a-6p, and Sun 10a-6p; and can be seen on a walk-in basis. Call now at (210) 543-7334 or Save Your Spot in line through our website.