Common colds share many symptoms of the coronavirus. So if a young patient becomes ill as the school year progresses, it can be difficult for clinicians to immediately know if it is COVID-19.
DIFFERENCES: COVID-19 or the common cold?
However, although the symptoms of flu and the common cold can be similar to those of COVID-19 in children. There are some important differences that every healthcare professional should be aware of:
- COVID-19 appears to spread more easily than the influenza (flu) virus and other respiratory viruses.
- COVID-19 causes more serious illness in some people than the flu.
- It takes longer before people show symptoms of COVID-19, and people can be contagious longer. This is why testing, quarantine, and isolation are so important.
- There is a flu vaccine that is available and easily accessible. Although the Food and Drug Administration has licensed several safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use, it will take time to vaccinate the majority of the adult population. Also, we are still awaiting additional data from studies in children under 12 years of age.
What are the biggest differences between COVID-19 and the flu?
Most children with the flu experience rapid-onset symptoms and begin to feel ill with a fever, cough, and runny nose for several days.
In contrast, children with COVID-19 may not have any symptoms or may have a fever for a short period of time, congestion, cough, and loss of taste and smell.
What are the most common symptoms of COVID-19 in children?
Symptoms of COVID-19 can include:
- Cough
- Brief episodes of fever
- Difficulty breathing
- Abdominal pain
- New loss of taste or smell
- Congestion
- Fatigue
- Throat pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
* Loss of taste or smell appears to be unique to the coronavirus; most other diseases do not have this symptom.
Common Symptoms of Flu in Children and Teens
Seasonal flu (influenza) can cause mild to severe illness and can even cause serious complications that lead to the death of children.
What are the most common symptoms of the flu?
A child with the flu will generally experience:
- Fever
- Shaking chills
- Headache
- Runny nose
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Throat pain
WHAT TO REMEMBER:
Because children are still susceptible, doctors should be vigilant whenever children begin to show signs of illness. A runny nose, sore throat, cough, and fever are common symptoms of colds, flu, and COVID-19, so it’s important to be able to spot the differences.
The flu can still be a deadly threat, particularly in the era of COVID-19. A compromised immune system as a result of a cold or the flu can increase the chances of contracting COVID-19 in children and adults.
* While younger children have shown greater resistance to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, they are much more susceptible to colds and flu.
Related Notes:
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