When we talk to parents in the clinic about their child having the “flu”, they often do not worry, but only when they say that their child has “influenza A” do they become alarmed. Some parents still ask: Is it still necessary to get the flu vaccine after the child has had the flu? In the concept of most parents, they always think that flu is a cold. There is a big difference between the two. The pathogen is different The pathogen of influenza is the influenza virus. The common cold can be caused by viruses, such as rhinovirus, syncytial virus and other respiratory viruses, but also by mycoplasma and bacteria. Influenza and the common cold are both respiratory infectious diseases. Influenza is highly contagious and can easily cause outbreaks or pandemics, especially influenza A, which often causes outbreaks, and influenza B, which often causes small-scale pandemics. Because it is highly contagious, serious and has more comorbidities, influenza is included in the management of statutory infectious diseases in China. Compared to influenza, the common cold does not usually cause epidemics on a large scale. Symptoms are different The symptoms of influenza and the common cold are more different. Influenza usually starts rapidly, with sudden onset of fever, and the body temperature peaks within a few hours to 24 hours, 39-40℃ or even higher, and the effect of fever reduction is poor after taking antipyretic agents, and the fever is retained in a high state. The general state of the child is poor, with older children often complaining of headache, generalized aches and pains, and fatigue, and infants and children showing depression or unusual irritability. In adults, generalized aches and pains and fatigue are obvious. Fever often lasts for 5-7 days without taking medication specifically for influenza, and is mostly high. The cough often lasts 1-2 weeks or longer after the body temperature has subsided. The common cold mainly manifests itself as fever, cough, and runny nose. The fever usually lasts 2-3 days or no fever, and the fever is usually not high, followed by 4 or 5 days of cough. The whole course of the disease is 5-7 days. The child’s mental condition is usually good at the time of illness. Diagnosis methods are different Influenza can be diagnosed by a rapid diagnostic method: nasopharyngeal secretions are taken and sent for examination, and the results are available in about 10-15 minutes. The common cold has many pathogens and it is difficult to make a specific pathogenic diagnosis. Treatment is different Influenza is recommended to be treated with oseltamivir if it is clearly diagnosed. It is recommended to treat at the prescribed dose and take the drug for 5 consecutive days. The treatment effect is significant, and there is often a significant decrease in body temperature 1-2 days after taking the drug. The common cold is usually treated mainly symptomatically, such as taking drugs to reduce fever and cough and phlegm. Prevention methods are different. The best way to prevent influenza is to get a flu shot. Prevention of the common cold: reduce access to public places, open windows, drink more water, and ensure rest.