• Home
• About CAC
• Admissions
• Elementary School
• Middle School
• High school
• Academics & Athletics
• Events Calendar
• Past Events
• POLAR (MS & HS PARENTS)

Health Office

Information on Colds and Flu

The Difference between the Flu and a Cold and what to do
Influenza (flu) and a cold are both respiratory (breathing) system infections caused by viruses. Initial symptoms of flu and colds are similar, and it can sometimes be difficult to tell if you have the flu or a very bad cold. The flu can cause more serious illness than a common cold.

Colds usually begin slowly, two to three days after infection by the virus. They last between 2 days and 2 weeks. You will first notice a scratchy, sore throat, followed by sneezing and a runny nose. You may get a mild cough several days later. If there is a fever, it is usually mild, (higher in young children). On average a young child will get 7 colds per year. There is no reasonable way to keep from getting at least some colds.

If you have the Flu, you will have a sudden headache and dry cough, and you might have a runny nose and a sore throat. Your muscles will ache, you will be extremely tired, and you can have a fever up to 104°F (40°C). Most people feel better in a couple of days, but the tiredness and cough can last for two weeks or longer.

Reviewed by Cynthia Haines, MD, October 2005.

SOURCE: The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, September 2005. The CDC: "Antiviral Drugs and the Flu," Oct. 22, 2005.

© 2005 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.

Preparing For Flu Season
Flu Vaccine: Flu vaccine is the best protection against flu. For children who suffer from asthma, lung disease, or other respiratory conditions, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease, flu vaccine is especially important. Those who receive flu vaccine may get flu anyhow, but it is frequently milder than without the vaccine. Flu vaccine will not protect you or your child from cold viruses.  Flu vaccine needs to be given yearly for those at high risk- and should be administered no later than Novemeber.

Wash hands after touching others and after touching objects that others handle.

Keep your fingers away from your nose and eyes. This is the most common way cold viruses are transferred into your body.

If Your Child Has the Flu or a Cold
Protect others. Teach children to cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing and coughing, to throw the tissue away, and then to wash their hands.  The Center for Disease control has put together a funny video that teaches a person how to cough and sneeze correctly.  It can accessed at  http://www.coughsafe.com/

Do I send my child to school?
Do not send your child to school if your child has a fever (measured greater than 100 degrees with a thermometer) or is too ill to pay attention in class.

Your child does not need to recover completely before returning to school. You can send your child to school with a cough and a runny nose. Even runny noses that have a green color are not good enough reasons to keep a child home. These symptoms can go on for 10 days to two weeks after a cold begins – and the school is able to teach your child, even when he or she is feeling less than perfect because of a cold.

In order for your child to be excused from physical education more than once, we need a doctor’s note. 

Is there Treatment for the Flu?
Speak to your doctor’s office to determine what the best medicine is for your child. Most medicines (Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and decongestants) are given to relieve symptoms.

There are now anti-viral drugs that can reduce the symptoms of the flu. These must be prescribed for your doctor. Although any child can get these medications, if you child has an underlying illness (such as asthma or another lung disease) AND has symptoms of the flu, reach your doctor early. These drugs work only on flu (not colds) and only if given within the first two days of flu symptoms.
Adapted from  http://www.sandi.net/health/parents/parentindex.htm 
and Web MD2005