Every parent worries about COVID-19 and the flu when respiratory illnesses are on the rise. Here’s what you need to know about symptoms, treatment and prevention.

If your child comes home sick with a sore throat and runny nose, how can you tell whether it’s the flu or a common cold virus?  

Flu, COVID and the common cold are caused by respiratory viruses, so the symptoms can be similar. But the hallmark of the flu is that the illness is generally much more severe, with a higher fever that typically lasts longer, muscle aches, headache and cough. COVID symptoms can be mild or severe, depending on the variant and other factors. 

Cold viruses, in contrast, typically cause a runny nose, sore throat, cough and a lower fever, if they cause any fever at all.  

Flu Shots and Mist 

The flu virus comes in different strains. Getting a yearly flu vaccine helps your body safely develop immunity to several strains of flu. Depending on how well the vaccine matches the strains of flu circulating in the community that season, its effectiveness is 50% or greater on average.  

You can still get sick after being vaccinated if the strain of flu you catch is different from the ones you were vaccinated against. But when that happens, the illness is typically milder.  

Parents often wonder which flu vaccine works best for children – the nasal spray or the shot? Researchers have found them to be equally effective, so it comes down to personal preference. A kid who’s very frightened of shots may find the nasal spray less scary. For other children, the sensation of having the nasal spray applied may seem worse than a quick shot. The nasal spray can’t be given to children under age 2, those with asthma or those who live with someone who has a compromised immune system.  

COVID-19 Vaccines in Kids

COVID has evolved and new variants appear as time passes. Symptoms and illness can be severe with any variant at any age. Updated vaccines are released periodically to combat the changing virus, helping boost the immune response when people are exposed or infected.  

The FDA and CDC recommend all children 6 months and older get vaccinated against COVID-19. It’s the best way to protect them and your family from serious illness and complications. 

The available COVID vaccines are safe and effective and outweigh the potential risks for children who contract the virus. You can schedule COVID and flu vaccines at the same appointment by visiting our COVID and Flu Resources. 

Flu and COVID Complications 

With any viral respiratory illness, secondary complications such as pneumonia or ear infection are a concern. Children with pneumonia will show difficulty when breathing. Look at your child’s chest and rib cage to see if there’s increased effort with each breath. With an ear infection, very young children or babies may touch or tug at their ear, become fussier or have difficulty sleeping. Older kids will complain that their ear hurts.  

If your child’s illness starts to improve and then worsens again, they need to be seen by a doctor.  

Never underestimate the dangers of the flu and COVID-19. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which tracks pediatric flu deaths, around 100 children die from flu complications in the United States in a typical flu season. Of these, a little less than half had no preexisting conditions that would have placed them at higher risk for dangerous flu complications.

Comfort Measures 

Unfortunately, no medicines will cure the flu or the common cold. There are antiviral medications to help treat influenza in children 2 weeks of age and older by shortening the illness by a day or less and help reduce the chances of some complications. For treatment, influenza antivirals should ideally be started within 2 days after becoming sick and taken according to your doctor’s instructions (usually for 5 days).  

Antivirals are also available for COVID-19 treatment. These must be given within 5-7 days of the start of symptoms, depending on the medication. Call your pediatrician if your child tests positive for COVID to talk about treatment options. 

Keep a sick child over age 4 comfortable by giving acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) to reduce fever and achiness. Don’t alternate between the two types of medicine or give a second dose before the recommended time. Pick the one you think works better for your child. Also, never give aspirin to kids and teens. Aspirin can cause a rare but serious illness in children called Reye's Syndrome and it should not be used with some flu vaccines, such as FluMist.  

Cold medicines aren’t safe for children under age 4. They offer little benefit and they can have serious side effects.  

Sick children also need plenty of sleep and fluids for hydration. If your child doesn’t want water, you can offer juices, ice pops or slushies made in your blender.  

COVID and Flu Prevention 

Vaccination is the best way to prevent COVID-19 and the flu. Good hygiene during flu season can also help reduce the spread of flu viruses. Viruses are spread by droplets in coughs and sneezes, and from touching surfaces a sick person has touched.  

Respiratory virus left behind on doorknobs and hard surfaces can remain infectious for several hours. Set a good example by coughing and sneezing into your elbow and washing your hands frequently.