Test Your Knowledge

Preparing questions in advance can help patients and parents have more meaningful discussions with physicians regarding their or their child’s treatment options. The following questions related to colds and the flu (influenza) may be helpful:

1. How can I tell if my child has a cold or the flu?
   
   
2. Will I treat my child differently, depending on whether it is a cold or the flu?
   
   
3. How can I tell that the symptoms are not caused by another condition (e.g., strep throat)? Do we need to come see you to know for sure?
   
   
4. What can I do to ease my child’s symptoms at home?
   
   
5. How can I keep the symptoms of a cold or flu from aggravating my child’s asthma?
   
   
6. What kind of over-the-counter pain relief medication would you recommend for my child? Are there any my child should stay away from?
   
   
7. If my infant has a cold or the flu, is it automatically a life-threatening condition? Do I need to take her/him to the emergency room?
   
   
8. Should my child get a flu vaccine?  What type (shot or nasal spray)?
   
   
9. Can the flu vaccine cause an influenza infection?
   
   
10. Do otherwise healthy teenagers need a flu vaccine every year?
    
    
11. Does the flu vaccine contain any ingredients I should be worried about (e.g., mercury)?
    
    
12. Do you recommend vitamin C or echinacea to help prevent colds or the flu?