Sickness In Kids: Main Differences Between COVID 19, Flu, & The Common Cold
How To Differentiate Symptoms When Your Child Feels Sick During The Pandemic
Every year, parents are faced with a conundrum when they see a child with watery eyes and a stuffy nose: Is it the flu, or is it just a cold? Now, with the coronavirus pandemic, there is a new level of panic as parents have to wonder if their children have a more serious illness that could cause life-threatening complications. Every sniffle is suspect and can cause parents’ hearts to start pounding.
The best thing you can do is call your Maryland pediatrician to talk about the symptoms you’re seeing or to get an evaluation. However, it can help to assuage your fears and guide your choices to have a little information.
Flu, COVID 19, Or The Common Cold? Know The Symptoms
The common cold, the flu, and the coronavirus share many symptoms. However, how quickly they develop and how severe they are can vary.
With a common cold, symptoms can include a runny nose, sneezing, congestion, and cough. The symptoms can come on slowly and get worse with time. Symptoms can last from three to 10 days.
Symptoms for the flu can include the same symptoms of a cold, with the addition of a sore throat, headaches, muscle aches, chills, and extreme fatigue. Symptoms tend to come on rapidly, and they can hang around for a few days to two weeks.
The symptoms of the coronavirus include all the symptoms of the flu, as well as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of taste or smell. Symptoms can come on two days to two weeks after your child has caught the virus, and they can last for a couple weeks or as long as several months.
Fever can be present with a cold, the flu, or the coronavirus, and not all symptoms are always present. Some people may be sick without showing any symptoms.
Treating Viral Rhinitis, Influenza & COVID 19
You must know what kind of illness your child has before you can move forward. If your child has a cold, there’s really nothing you can do except help your child stay hydrated and get plenty of rest. You can relieve symptoms with some over-the-counter medications or by clearing up nasal congestion with a suction bulb or other device.
If your child has the flu, you will need to keep them home from school as the illness is highly contagious and can lead to life-threatening consequences for some. You should give your child plenty of fluids and make sure they get enough rest. If your child has severe vomiting or appears very irritable or disoriented, you should see your Maryland pediatrician as soon as possible.
The treatment for coronavirus is the same as for the flu if the symptoms are mild to moderate. However, if your child develops shortness of breath or a high fever, you need to call your Germantown pediatrician right away.
How To Prevent Contagious Respiratory Illnesses
The best way to prevent the cold or the flu is to encourage your child to wash their hands frequently. The flu vaccine can lower the chances that your child will get the flu, and if your child does get sick, the vaccine will reduce the risk that the illness will be severe.
Frequent hand washing, social distancing, and mask wearing are the best ways to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Right now, children are not able to get vaccinated against COVID, but chances are good that the vaccine will be available for them within the next year.
Children get sick a lot, and as a parent, you want to do what’s best to keep them well. You may not know when it’s a simple cold that will clear up on its own or when it’s something more serious like the flu or even the coronavirus. Pay close attention to the symptoms, and work closely with your Gaithersburg pediatrician and their team of nurses to learn when it’s time to come in to get treatment.
Contact Maryland’s Trusted Pediatricians
Maryland Pediatric Care is a top-rated pediatrician in Maryland that is now accepting new patients. Dr. Aniqa Malik has been named the top doctor in Washingtonian magazine. She and her team are committed to providing the highest level of care for all children. She and her team provide routine pediatric care, immunizations, newborn care, and more. They also offer sick visits. Contact our office today to schedule a visit.
Maryland Pediatric Care
19525 Doctors Drive,
Germantown, MD 20874
Phone: 301-424-2400
Email: [email protected]
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am – 1:00pm
Every second Saturday of month
(9:00am – 11:30Am)
