

Monitoring your child for emergency symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, persistent pain, confusion, inability to wake up, and bluish lips or face.Separating your child from other household members and pets - and having them wear a mask when they are not isolated.Giving your child over-the-counter medications to ease symptoms (Do not give any medications to your child without checking with the provider first.).Ensuring your child gets plenty of rest and drinks extra fluids.They can help you determine next steps, which may include: While most children can safely recover from all three illnesses at home, if you are concerned about severe symptoms or potential exposure, call your child’s primary care provider or Children’s COVID-19 Help Line at 40. This means they should avoid public places, such as playgrounds and grocery stores. If your child becomes sick, they should not leave home except to get medical care. Because of the similarity of symptoms and the fact that it’s possible to have more than one of these illnesses at the same time, it’s important to take any sickness seriously right now. While the common cold doesn’t generally lead to serious health problems, both the flu and COVID-19 can. By identifying the most recent time your child may have been exposed, you may be able to use that information to help determine which illness your child is experiencing. When possible, try to monitor who your child interacts with - and when. 2 to 14 days for COVID-19, with an average of 5 days.Though incubation periods can vary, they are roughly: This is called the incubation period - or how long it takes symptoms to appear after exposure. While the symptoms themselves may overlap a bit, the timing of those symptoms may help you determine what illness your child has. That means if your child suddenly complains about not being able to taste their favorite meal, this - alongside other symptoms - might be a sign of COVID-19. However, one primary difference between the two is that COVID-19 can lead to changes in or loss of taste or smell. Both range from no symptoms at all (called being asymptomatic) to severe symptoms. On the other hand, the flu and COVID-19 can be a little more tricky to differentiate. Fevers and headaches are rare, chills are uncommon, and coughing usually remains mild to moderate. Because of this, these illnesses share many symptoms - but there are a few key differences among them. This is the part of the body that goes through the nose, down the mouth and throat, and into the lungs. Though colds, influenza, and COVID-19 are all caused by different viruses, they all infect the respiratory tract. Cold, Flu, and COVID-19: Similar Symptoms - With Some Important Differences This means that even those who are fully vaccinated can still become sick with COVID-19.Īs we head into flu season, the prime time of year for the common cold, and ongoing COVID-19 concerns, it can be helpful to know the difference among these illnesses. And while most people who get COVID-19 are unvaccinated, no vaccine is 100% effective. Those who are not fully vaccinated and boosted against the virus still run the risk of catching - and spreading - the virus.

Even though nearly 80% of Americans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and children ages 6 months and older are eligible for the vaccine, COVID-19 is not over. Now, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, hearing a cough in the other room may stop you in your tracks - and rightfully so. You may have chalked them up to run-of-the-mill cold or flu, leading to an earlier bedtime, extra fluids, or medication. Most years, your child experiencing any of these minor symptoms of illness wouldn’t be a huge cause for concern.

Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition and Stabilization (PEARS).Pediatric Advanced Life Support Courses (PALS).Speak Up!: Making Your Child’s Care a Safe and Positive Experience.See a provider from the comfort of your own home.
