This page was updated Feb. 10, 2022. Recommendations can change quickly in a public health emergency. Please follow all health and safety guidelines set by your local authorities. Reference the CDC and CDPHE for updates.
Cough, cough. Sniff, sniff. “I don’t feel good,” your kid says. Uh-oh, you think. Could it be COVID? It’s a normal reaction. Although getting vaccinated, wearing a mask, social distancing and frequently washing your hands are the best ways to prevent getting sick with COVID-19 and limit the spread, there’s still a high likelihood that you or your child may become infected.
Children’s Hospital Colorado pediatric infectious disease specialist Samuel Dominguez, MD, PhD, says that although flu and common cold symptoms can be similar to COVID-19 in kids, there are some important differences to know:
- COVID-19 seems to spread more easily than the influenza virus (the flu) and other respiratory viruses. The omicron variant makes it even more contagious.
- COVID-19 causes more serious illness in some people than the flu.
- It may take longer before people show symptoms of COVID-19, and people can be contagious for longer. That’s why testing, quarantine and isolation are so important.
- There’s a flu vaccine that is readily available and easily accessible. Though the Food and Drug Administration has authorized several safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use (and given full approval to one), we're still working to vaccinate most of the adult population and waiting on additional data from studies in kids younger than 5.
Even with these differences in mind, it’s challenging for any parent to sort through the symptoms. As seasonal cold and flu season coincides with high transmission of the omicron variant and a shortage of healthcare workers, it’s more important than ever to keep up with the safety precautions that help keep kids healthy.
With the help of our experts, we created the following symptoms chart for quickly comparing the overlapping symptoms of COVID-19, other respiratory viruses, the flu, allergies and the effects of poor air quality.
Symptoms quick chart
Remember, not everyone experiences the same symptoms. You should use this quick chart as a starting point only. If your child is sick, be sure to talk with their pediatrician and ask about getting tested.
And a note about wording: Though terms like “the common cold,” “the flu,” “colds” and “cold viruses,” are often used interchangeably, remember that there are many viruses that cause respiratory symptoms in children. Even when we aren’t facing a pandemic, the severity of and treatments for these illnesses vary, which is why asking an expert is always recommended.
Signs and symptoms in kids |
COVID-19 (the new coronavirus) |
Influenza (the flu) |
Common respiratory infections (colds) |
Seasonal allergies (hay fever) |
Poor air quality (smoke or ozone) |
Onset of symptoms |
Varies; typically gradual |
Sudden |
Varies |
Typically sudden or ongoing |
Sudden or gradual, but typically sudden |
New loss of taste or smell |
Sometimes |
Uncommon |
Uncommon |
Sometimes |
Never |
Fever |
Sometimes*; typically high fever |
Very common; typically high fever |
Varies |
Never |
Never |
Tiredness |
Severely tired |
Severely tired |
Varies |
Sometimes |
Sometimes |
Cough |
Very common; typically dry cough |
Very common; typically dry cough |
Varies |
Sometimes |
Common, especially in those with underlying lung disease like asthma |
Headache |
Common |
Very common |
Varies |
Uncommon |
Sometimes |
Loss of appetite |
Sometimes |
Common |
Varies |
Less common |
Uncommon |
Muscle and body aches |
Common |
Very common |
Common |
Uncommon |
Uncommon |
Sore throat |
Common |
Common |
Common |
Sometimes; typically mild |
Sometimes |
Runny nose/nasal congestion |
Common |
Common |
Common |
Very common |
Common |
Nausea or vomiting |
Sometimes |
Sometimes |
Less common |
Uncommon |
Uncommon |
Chills |
Sometimes |
Very common |
Less common |
Never |
Never |
Diarrhea |
Sometimes |
Sometimes |
Varies |
Never |
Never |
Shortness of breath/breathlessness |
Sometimes |
Sometimes |
Uncommon |
Uncommon |
Common, especially in kids with breathing and heart conditions |
Wheezing or audible breathing |
Sometimes |
Sometimes |
Sometimes |
Uncommon |
Sometimes, especially in kids with breathing problems like asthma |
It can be challenging to identify the cause of symptoms, especially in younger kids. We’ve included additional information about each condition below, signs and symptoms to look for and why testing matters.
*Less than half of children who are diagnosed with COVID-19 will have a fever. Even if your child does not have a fever, it is possible that they could have COVID-19.