Know the Difference Between Cold and Flu

Please keep in mind that every case is different - these are meant only to be general guidelines and should never take the place of a professsional health care provider.  

Fever - rare with a cold
             common with the flu

Coughing - hacking, productive cough is common with the cold
                    non-productive dry cough associated with flu

Aches - slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold
               severe aches and pains are common with the flu

Stuffy Nose - common with the cold, typically resolves w/in a week
                         not usually present with the flu

Chills - not common with the cold
              majority of people with flu also experience chills

Tiredness - fairly mild with the cold
                      moderate to severe with the flu

Sneezing - commonly present with the cold
                     not usual with flu

Sudden Onset of Symptoms - cold symptoms tend to evolve over days
                                                        flu has rapid onset and hits hard

Headache - not usually associated with cold
                    very common with flu

Sore Throat - common with cold
                       not commonly present with the flu

Chest Discomfort - mild to moderate with the cold
                                  often severe with the flu

Common Childhood Disease Information and Recommended Exclusionary Time Frames

Please observe your child every day before sending him/her to school.  Children who are ill should recuperate at home.

Chicken Pox  
Fever and itchy rash that turns to blisters, then scabs
Incubation:  10 to 21 days
Highly Communicable  
Exclusion until blisters have scabbed,
Not less than 5 days from last blister

Cold
Hacking Cough, runny nose, sneezing
Incubation:  Varies
Communicable
Exclusion until symptom free

Fever
Exclusion until fever free for 24 hours without use of fever reducing medication

Flu
Fever, non-productive cough, aches and pains, headache, difficulty breathing
Incubation:  Varies
Communicable
Exclusion until fever free for 24 hours without use of fever reducing medication

Fifth Disease (Erythema Infectiosium)
Rash on face appears as “slapped cheek”, lace rash on trunk and extremities.  Especially dangerous to pregnant women, contact physician
Incubation:  4 to 20 days
Communicable before rash appears
Exclusion not necessary

Impetigo
Blisters or open sore on skin.  
Incubation:  4 to 10 days
Communicable while open or draining
Exclusion until physican’s note is submitted

Pink Eye (Bacterial Conjunctivitis)
Pink/Redness of eyes, itching, discharge, light sensitivity, and/or eye pain
Incubation:  1 to 3 days
Highly Communicable  
Exclusion until 24 hours after treatment begins or physician’s note is submitted

Strep Throat/Scarlet Fever
Sudden onset of sore throat, fever and/or vomiting.
Red throat with white patches.
Scarlet fever also displays symptoms of rash to throat and trunk.
Incubation:  1 to 3 days
Communicable for 24 to 48 hours
Exclusion until symptom free

Links

CDC Flu Basics


Treating the Sick Patient


Parent Flyer