When your child starts coughing, sneezing, or running a fever, it can be hard to know what you’re dealing with. As the seasons change and kids head back to school or daycare, coughs and sniffles start making the rounds. Here in Somerset, KY, that often leaves parents asking: is it just a cold, or something more serious like the flu, RSV, or COVID-19? 

Understanding the differences in symptoms and knowing when to call your pediatrician can help your family stay healthy and help prevent the spread to classmates, siblings, and caregivers. 

Cold, Flu, RSV, or COVID? What Parents Should Know

Here’s a quick guide to how these common illnesses often show up in children: 

• Common Cold: The most frequent culprit – think runny noses, sneezes, and sore throats. Kids might slow down a bit but often keep playing. Fevers are uncommon.  

• Flu (Influenza): Flu tends to hit fast and hard, often starting with a high fever, chills, body aches, and extreme fatigue. A dry cough and sore throat often follow.  f

• RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus): Especially common in younger children, RSV can cause cough, wheezing, runny nose, and low-grade fever. In babies and toddlers, it can lead to difficulty breathing and even hospitalization in severe cases.  

• COVID-19: COVID symptoms in children often overlap with other viruses. These can include fever, cough, fatigue, sore throat, or gastrointestinal issues. In some cases, children lose their sense of smell or taste.  

Since the symptoms can frequently overlap, testing is often the only way to know for sure what you’re dealing with.

When to Call the Doctor

Reach out to your pediatrician or visit urgent care if your child: 

• Has a high fever lasting more than 48–72 hours 

• Is under 2 years old and showing signs of respiratory distress 

• Refuses food or fluids for extended periods 

• Has symptoms that worsen after seeming to improve 

• Has underlying conditions like asthma or immune deficiencies 

Emergency Room – Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital

Prevention Tips for Families

A few small habits can make a big difference – especially during peak season. These everyday steps help lower the chance of germs spreading at home and school. 

• Handwashing: Teach kids to wash their hands with soap for at least 20 seconds. 

• Stay Home When Sick: Keep children out of school or daycare until fever-free for 24 hours without medication. 

• Surface Cleaning: Disinfect doorknobs, toys, tablets, and other high-touch items daily. 

• Coughing Etiquette: Show kids how to cough or sneeze into their elbows. 

• Vaccination: Annual flu vaccines are recommended for children 6 months and older. Talk to your pediatrician about other recommended vaccines based on your child’s age.  

CDC – Vaccines for Children by Age 

Protecting the Most Vulnerable

Babies, premature infants, and children with lung or heart conditions are most at risk for RSV and flu complications. If you have multiple children at home, take extra care to limit contact between sick and healthy siblings.  

Parents know their kids best. If your child seems “off,” trust your gut. Many seasonal viruses are mild, but getting timely care makes all the difference when symptoms linger or worsen. 

CDC Cold vs Flu Symptom Chart