A cold and the flu can have some symptoms in common, but these two illnesses are caused by different viruses. It is important to know the difference between these two illnesses in order to properly treat your child.

It is likely that your child has a cold if he has one or more of the following symptoms:

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Mild to moderate cough with or without mucus
• Mild headache or sinus pressure
• Mild tiredness
• Sneezing
• Mild sore throat
• Watery eyes
• Mild body aches 

Your child might have the flu if he has cold symptoms and any of the following symptoms:

• A fever
• Intese body aches
• Extreme tiredness
• An intense, dry cough

You must call your child's doctor if your child has any of the following symptoms:

• Temperature higher than 100.4° F
• Symptoms lasting more than 10 days
• Symptoms not relieved by over-the-counter medications

Sources: Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov)
National Institutes of Health (www.nih.gov)