Swine Flu Symptoms vs. a Cold or Sinus Infection

It is important to keep in mind most children with a runny nose or cough will not have swine flu and will not have to see their pediatrician for swine flu testing. This time of year, many other childhood conditions are common, including:

• fall allergies - runny nose, congestion, and cough
• common cold - runny nose, cough, and low grade fever
• sinus infections - lingering runny nose, cough, and fever
• strep throat - sore throat, fever, and a positive strep test

 What You Need To Know

• Swine flu likely spreads by direct contact with respiratory secretions of someone that is sick with swine flu, like if they were coughing and sneezing close to you. 
• People with swine flu are likely contagious for one day before and up to seven days after they began to get sick with swine flu symptoms.   
• Droplets from a cough or sneeze can also contaminate surfaces, such as a doorknob, drinking glass, or kitchen counter, although these germs likely don't survive for more than a few hours.   
• Anti-flu medications, including Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir), are available to prevent and treat swine flu in high risk children.   
• The latest swine flu news from the CDC includes advice that daycare centers should do daily health checks, separate ill children until they can go home, encourage kids to stay home until they are free of fever for at least 24 hours, encourage proper hand-washing, and teach kids to properly cover their coughs and sneezes to help everyone avoid the flu.