As cold temperatures creep up, keeping your children safe and healthy this winter is our priority. Knowing the differences between a cold, the flu, and strep throat helps ensure your child receives proper care and treatment. If your child ends up sick this season, find immediate care for strep throat in Statesboro, GA at our urgent care. Our medical professionals at South Georgia Immediate Care Center are ready to help your child feel better and get back to playing!
What Are the Most Common Winter Illnesses in Children?
In the winter months, three of the most common illnesses among children are the common cold, the flu, and strep throat. Your kids can pick up illnesses from school, clubs, and sports, and then spread them through your house very quickly. It is important to know the symptoms to protect yourself and your whole family from getting sick this winter.
Cold Symptoms in Children and Effective Treatments
Cold symptoms in children are the same as in adults, but sometimes they last longer.
Some common symptoms can include:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Runny nose or nasal congestion
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Fever (usually low grade)
- Mild body aches
Treatment for these symptoms is relatively easy and can normally be done at home with over-the-counter medications or home remedies. Medications like decongestants, antihistamines, and pain relievers can help relieve symptoms. In conjunction with medication, home remedies also work wonders. Steaming, gargling saltwater, staying hydrated, and resting help your child feel much better in a short amount of time.
If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms and the treatments listed above are not working, it may be time to see a doctor. Make sure to bring them to our immediate care center for cough and sore throat walk-in treatment.
Flu Symptoms in Children and How to Treat Them
Flu symptoms also present themselves similarly to cold symptoms in children, but the key difference is that they are more severe. For instance, fevers typically run higher, headaches are worse, body aches are more severe, and sore throats are more painful. Another difference is that colds have a gradual onset, while the flu is more sudden.
Treatment for the flu is also pretty similar to common cold treatment. Over-the-counter pain management and sore throat treatment for children are readily available at most drugstores for you to pick up. If symptoms do not improve or get worse even after medication, take your child to our walk-in urgent care for sore throats.
Strep Throat Symptoms in Children and Treatments
Strep throat, unlike colds and the flu, does not show upper respiratory symptoms. This is the main difference between strep and normal colds or the flu. People typically do not deal with congestion or sneezing when coming down with strep.
Some symptoms specific to strep throat are:
- Swollen lymph nodes
- White pus on tonsils
- Little red dots on the roof of the mouth
- Sometimes vomiting and/or abdominal pain
If you suspect your child has strep or another common illness, bring them into our clinic for strep throat testing. Strep is treatable with home remedies, but the best option is to use antibiotics prescribed by a doctor to fight the infection directly. Getting immediate care for strep throat from our trusted medical professionals is the way to go.
When Should You Seek Medical Help?
As mentioned, you should seek medical help when symptoms of any of these illnesses either do not improve or worsen. Letting symptoms get worse can lead to more serious and severe illnesses like pneumonia or bronchitis. Do not let your child’s sickness worsen.Get immediate care for strep throat, or other illnesses at our urgent care in Statesboro, GA.
Help Your Child Get Immediate Care for Strep Throat in Statesboro, GA
Whether it’s a cold, the flu, or strep throat, recognizing the symptoms early helps your child recover faster and stay healthy. If you need immediate care for strep throat in Statesboro, GA, our team is here to diagnose and treat your child. Call (912)-871-5150 or join our online waitlist to get the care your family needs, fast!