Does your child have COVID-19, flu, cold or something else?

Flu season will begin soon. Children will get sick just like they always have, but this year is different since the coronavirus is also circulating.

“Since COVID-19 symptoms overlap with symptoms of other common illnesses like colds or the flu, kids with symptoms of COVID-19 may actually be ill with something else,” says Uzma Muneer, DO, a board-certified pediatrician at Elmhurst Clinic. “In typical circumstances, it’s common for young children to have up to eight respiratory illnesses, or colds, every year.”

Unfortunately, there is no symptom or set of symptoms that only occurs in children diagnosed with COVID-19. So, if a child gets sick this fall or winter, how can parents rule out COVID-19?

In a common cold, children may have:

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Congestion or runny nose
• Muscle or body aches

With a common cold, children likely will not have:

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

In children, fever has been the most frequently reported symptom of COVID-19. Other symptoms of COVID-19 in children may include cough, fatigue, headache, nasal congestion, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, muscle aches, gastrointestinal issues, nausea or vomiting, or poor appetite.

A fever could also be a sign of strep throat or the flu. A cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, sore throat or nasal congestion may be present in children with chronic conditions like asthma or allergies.

Parents worry about multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), but this illness, although serious, is not common. Symptoms of MIS-C include a persistent, prolonged fever, skin rash, red eyes, lips and tongue, and swollen hands and feet.

Scientists are still learning how the virus spreads and impacts children. Findings suggest children are less likely to get COVID-19 than adults, and if they do contract COVID-19, they generally have less serious illness than adults.

There are children who are infected with the coronavirus and don’t develop any symptoms. These children can spread the virus to others who are at risk of complications. Families should continue taking precautions to limit exposures, including wearing masks in public, frequent handwashing and physical distancing.

“You know your child best. Let your child’s doctor know if your child has a fever, is lethargic, won’t drink fluids, has any difficulty in breathing or has any other symptoms that concern you,” says Dr. Muneer. “When in doubt, call the doctor.”

It’s important for children to have regular wellness check-ups with their doctors and stay up-to-date with all recommended vaccinations, especially the flu shot this season.

Flu vaccines are available through Edward-Elmhurst Health primary care physicians. Contact the doctor’s office to schedule a child’s flu shot.

For more information, visit www.EEHealth.org/coronavirus.