This article was originally published in September 2024. Updated in February 2025.
With flu season here, Connecticut Children’s infectious disease pediatrician John R. Schreiber, MD, MPH, fields an important question: is it the flu or COVID-19?
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How can I tell if my child’s symptoms are from the flu or COVID?
Dr. Schreiber: You’ll need a doctor’s help – and in many cases, a test – to know for sure.
Why? Influenza is a different respiratory virus from COVID-19, but it can look very similar. Both flu and COVID-19 can cause severe symptoms, mild symptoms, or no symptoms at all.
For both flu and COVID, kids might have any of the following signs and symptoms:
- Fever
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Chills
- Body aches
- Sore throat
- Difficulty breathing
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headache
- Vomiting or diarrhea
Unfortunately, there are no tell-tale signs for the flu versus COVID.
COVID-19 may cause a change or loss of taste or smell, which is uncommon in regular flu. Shortness of breath is more common with COVID-19 than with flu, and a runny nose is more common with flu than COVID-19 – but either is possible with both illnesses.
Bottom line? If you think your child might be sick, keep them home and call their doctor.
Your child’s pediatrician will help you decide what to do next, and may recommend a COVID test.
If your child still needs their flu shot or COVID-19 shot, call to schedule now.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends both for children 6 months and older this respiratory season.
Stay safe and healthy.