05/24/2026
It can be stressful when your little one starts coughing or running a fever, especially when so many different viruses share the same symptoms!
Here's a quick "cheat sheet" to help you tell the difference between common respiratory illnesses from Nemours KidsHealth:
🤧 The Common Cold: Mostly mild. Runny nose, sneezing, and a scratchy throat. Energy levels usually stay pretty normal.
🤧 The Flu: Hits like a ton of bricks. Sudden high fever, body aches, chills, and total exhaustion.
🤧 RSV: Starts like a cold but watch for wheezing or fast breathing (where the skin sucks in around the ribs).
🤧 COVID-19: The "chameleon." It can look like a cold or flu, but sometimes includes a loss of taste/smell or a rash.
🚩 When to seek care? If your child is struggling to breathe, seems confused, is extremely lethargic, or has a fever that won't break, it’s time to call the doctor.
And, instead of wondering if you should rush to the ER at 3:00 AM, use TytoCare!
Read for more health tips when your child is sick: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/flu-vs-cold.html
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