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Poor sneezes, I feel bad for them. From being a simple natural reflection of the body to things as common as dust, pollen, or the beginning of a common cold, this 2020 they have become a deadly threat that receives public shaming out there.

The dishonorable and unforgivable act of sneezing in public happened to me in the worst place imaginable, in the produce section at the supermarket. Despite the fact that I was wearing a mask, those sharp glances from shoppers around me will remain in my memory forever. I can't help but laugh out loud as I recount the myriad of irrational and unimaginable experiences we have lived during this pandemic.

Of course, it makes sense that we all feel deranged and confused, since this virus that has literarily paralyzed the world has too many similarities with other viral diseases’ symptoms.

Unfortunately, that confusion will only increase this winter when we invite a new guest to our viral party, the flu.

So, this brings me to the million-dollar question, how are we supposed to distinguish if that sneeze at the supermarket is a symptom of Covid-19, influenza, or a simple cold?

Thanks to Med-IQ , an accredited medical education company that provides an exceptional educational experience to doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals, last week I had the opportunity to ask this question to three renowned doctors and medical faculty from different medical schools and hospitals around the country.

Today I share with you their answers and recommendations so that we can prepare proactively and protect our children during this upcoming flu season.

1. The differences between influenza, Covid-19, and a common cold.

The doctors explained to us that the symptoms of a common cold are regularly congestion and coughing, but they do not present shortness of breath or fever. Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to detect the difference between influenza and Covid-19 since their symptoms are practically the same:

• Fever or chills

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Fatigue

• Sore throat

• Nasal congestion or runny nose

• Muscle pain

• Headache

• Vomiting or Diarrhea

2.- Children are more vulnerable to the flu.

Although right now Covid-19 is the first thing that comes to our mind with these symptoms, we must not forget that the flu season just begun, and children, especially under 5-years-old, are extremely vulnerable to complications from it. Approximately 40% of children with influenza suffer some type of complication such as asthma, pneumonia, seizures, sinusitis, among others.

3.- The first 48 hours are key.

It is very important to take our children to the doctor at the first sign of these symptoms because if they actually have the flu, the medicine should be administered within the first 48 hours to be more effective.

Don’t be reluctant to take your kids to the doctor due to the pandemic, with respect to pediatric influenza, early treatment is very important.

4.- Family Treatment as a unit.

If someone in your family is diagnosed with influenza, it’s important to let your doctor know if you have more children at home, so the medication can be administered to everyone to prevent complications.

5.- Let's be proactive, the best prevention is the vaccine.

The influenza vaccine is the number one preventative measure parents can take, and getting the flu shot early in the fall is the recommended guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Children six months and older can get it and it’s already available in Houston.

6- Learn your pediatrician's treatment protocol.

It’s a good idea to call your pediatrician’s office ahead of time and find out what’s their current protocol for treating patients with these symptoms. This way you will know exactly what to do and it'll be easier for you to act promptly if symptoms occur.

7.- Flu symptoms that require urgent care.

If your kids present any of these symptoms, it's very important to take them to the ER.

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing

• Blush lips or face

• Ribs pulling in with each breath

• Chest pain

• Severe muscle pain (child refuses to walk)

• Dehydration (no urine for 8 hours, dry mouth, no tears when crying)

• Not alert or interacting when awake

• Seizures

• Fever above 104°F

• Any fever in children younger than 12 weeks

• Fever or cough that improves but then returns or worsens

• Worsening of chronic medical condition.

8.- Wearing a mask and washing your hands really works

All the hygienic measures that we have taken to protect ourselves from Covid 19 also prevent us from catching other viral diseases. If a family member at home is diagnosed with influenza, it’s recommended that they use a face mask as much as possible, especially if they sleep with other siblings.

Thanks so much to the doctors who kindly gave us these very valuable recommendations.

I really hope that one day we can contain Covid-19 in the same way that we can prevent influenza through treatment and a vaccine.

I feel optimistic that the use of face masks, washing our hands, and applying hand sanitizer the way we have been during these pandemic months will also help minimize the spread of influenza this year.

So now you know, let's be proactive and do what we can to protect the health and well-being of our children and the communities around us.

I truly hope the poor sneeze will soon be able to return to its regular status of being harmless and regain its noble and dignified public life.

Med-IQ is conducting an anonymous survey and would appreciate your input. The survey, which includes additional education on this topic, will take less than 15 minutes to complete. Survey responses are shared only in aggregate. Your responses to these survey questions will provide Med-IQ with important information about your experiences with pediatric influenza, which will help us develop future educational initiatives. Once you've completed the survey, you will have the option of providing your email address to be entered into a drawing administered by SOMA Strategies to win 1 of 10 $100 VISA gift cards. If you choose to enter, your email address will be used only to randomly draw the winners and notify them of their prize and to send a follow-up survey as part of this same initiative.

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Medical faculty that led the discussion:

Paul G. Auwaerter, MD

Sherrilyn and Ken Fisher Professor of Medicine

Clinical Director, Division of Infectious Diseases

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Baltimore, Maryland USA

John J. Russell, MD, FAAFP

Clinical Professor, Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University Medical School Philadelphia, PA

Program Director, Family Medicine Residency Program, Abington Memorial Hospital

Abington, PA

Kathryn Birken-Friedman, MD

Doctor of Pediatric Medicine

Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital

Hollywood, FL

Yo Mariana LLC was compensated by Med-IQ through an educational grant from Genentech to write about the signs, symptoms and treatments available for pediatric influenza. All opinions are my own.

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