Manage Illness at Home

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There are many viruses that spread during the fall and winter season. The more common viruses that are causing illness in people right now are: Stylised cartoon depiction of a viral particle with various surface protein spikes

Rhinovirus (common cold)
Influenza (flu)
COVID-19
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Gastroenteritis (Stomach Bug)

These viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics and can often be managed at home.

The following chart may help you manage your symptoms at home and help you understand when it is time to see a doctor.

Understanding Viruses and How to Manage Them
*Virus*	*Common* *Symptoms*	*Level of Infectivity*	*Managing Your Symptoms at Home*	*When to See a Doctor*
Common Cold	Stuffy nose Sore throat Sneezing Cough Low-grade Fever	Less contagious	Drink plenty of fluids Rest and reduce activities Take pain medications: acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for fever or body aches Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and wash your hands often Stay away from others to keep from infecting them Wear a mask when around others	Viral symptoms should be managed at home
Flu	Body aches Chills Cough Fatigue Fever Headache Sore throat Stuffy nose	Contagious		Difficulty breathing (gasping for air, shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble taking a breath in) Severe or worsening cough Dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea A fever that lasts more than 72 hours You have underlying heath problems (like heart or lung disease) or take immunosuppressants
COVID-19	Body aches Chills Fever Fatigue Cough Diarrhea Nausea/ Vomiting Shortness of breath Loss of smell/taste Headache Stuffy nose Sore throat	More contagious
Respiratory Syncytial Virus	Runny nose Sneezing Cough Fever Wheezing	Very Contagious	Keep your child comfortable Offer plenty of fluids Give ibuprofen or acetaminophen for fever *DO NOT give over the counter cough and cold medicines for children under 6 years old	*Take your child to the emergency if:* -your baby is under 3 months and has a fever - your child has trouble breathing - your child has lips that look blue - your child is no longer able to suck or drink Take your child to see a doctor if your child: - has had a fever for more than 72 hours - is not eating or is vomiting - is not having wet diapers
Gastroenteritis in Adults	Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Stomach pain or cramps	Contagious	Drink plenty of fluids You may not feel hungry (this is okay!) Rest and reduce activities Take Gravol for nausea/ vomiting Good handwashing	You have a fever You have severe stomach pain You have blood in your stool/ diarrhea You are not unable to keep fluids down for 24 hours You are not urinating Your symptoms are not improving after 48 hours
Gastroenteritis in Babies or Children	Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Stomach pain or cramps	Contagious	Keep your child comfortable Offer plenty of fluids Good handwashing	Your child has a fever Your child seems tired or very irritable Your child is in a lot of discomfort or pain Your child has bloody diarrhea Your child seems dehydrated

Additional Resources

Centers for Disease and Control (CDC)

Government of Canada

Toronto Public Health

University of Toronto

Managing Fever in Children

(Adapted from About Kids Health – Fever)

What is a fever?

A fever is a body temperature higher than 38°C.Temperatures between 37°C and 38°Care not considered a fever.

When your child gets a fever, it is a normal response to their body fighting an infection caused by either a virus or bacteria. It is part of their immune system trying to fight the infection.

It is important to note how long the fever is lasting, not how high the fever is.

Always use a thermometer to measure your child’s temperature.

Age of Child	Most Accurate Temperature	Alternative (Easier, but less accurate)
< 3 years old	Rectal temperature	Armpit temperature
> 3 years old	Oral temperature (under the tongue)	Ear (tympanic) thermometer

For help on how to correctly take your child’s temperature, click here.

How to take care of a child with a fever

Keep your child lightly dressed and use light blankets.
Ensure your child drinks plenty of fluids.
Use medication (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) to help keep your child comfortable
DO NOT use aspirin to treat your child’s fever.
A child with a fever may not have an appetite and may not eat much. This is not a concern,if your child is taking plenty of fluids and is peeing regularly.

When to seek medical attention

Go to the nearest Emergency Room if:

Your child is less than3 months of age and has any fever over 38°C.
Your child develops a rash that looks like small purple dots that do not go away when you apply pressure with your fingers (blanching).
Your child is not able to keep down any fluids, is not peeing and appears dehydrated.
Your child is in constant pain.
Your child is lethargic (very weak) or difficult to wake up.
Your child has a stiff neck.
Your child has a seizure associated with fever for the first time or a long seizure associated with fever.
Your child does not use their arms or legsnormally or refuses to stand up.
Your child appears blue around the lips or is struggling to breathe.

Book an appointment with your Doctor if:

Your child is older than 3 months and has any fever over 38°C lasting more then 72 hours.
Your child is looking or acting sick, such as is less interactive and more irritable.
Your child seems to be working harder to breathe, such as breathing faster or you can see your child’s ribs when they breathe in (indrawing).

For more information, visit About Kids Health.

Additional Resources: