Why Is My Child Having a Runny Nose? Is It Just a Cold?
Well! Our charts can make Understanding Common Respiratory Illnesses in Children Easy for Parents!
When your child has a persistent runny nose or cough, it can be tricky to figure out whether it’s just a simple cold or something more concerning, such as RSV, the flu, or even pneumonia. Many respiratory illnesses share similar symptoms, which can make it challenging to diagnose them accurately. This article will help you understand the differences between various conditions that affect the respiratory system and offer insights into how they present.
The Overlap of Symptoms in Cold, Flu, Covid and More: Why It’s Hard to Tell!
Conditions like the common cold, RSV, flu, COVID-19, strep throat, and viral pneumonia can all present with overlapping symptoms. This can make it difficult to identify whether the illness is viral or bacterial, or how severe it might become.
Common Symptoms Across Upper Respiratory & Most Common Winter Illnesses
| Symptom: Runny Nose | |
| Condition | Presence |
| Common Cold | ✔ |
| RSV | ✔ |
| Flu | ✔ |
| COVID-19 | ✔ |
| Strep Throat | Rare |
| Seasonal Allergies | ✔ |
| Viral Pneumonia | ✔ |
| Symptom: Cough | |
| Condition | Presence |
| Common Cold | ✔ |
| RSV | ✔ |
| Flu | ✔ |
| COVID-19 | ✔ |
| Strep Throat | ✔ |
| Seasonal Allergies | ✔ |
| Viral Pneumonia | ✔ |
| Symptom : Fever | |
| Condition | Severity |
| Common Cold | ❌ |
| RSV | ⚖ |
| Flu | 🔥 |
| COVID-19 | ⚖ 🔥 |
| Strep Throat | 🔥 |
| Seasonal Allergies | ❌ |
| Viral Pneumonia | ⚖ 🔥 |
| Symptom: Fatigue | |
| Condition | Severity |
| Common Cold | ⚖ |
| RSV | ⚖ ⚖ |
| Flu | 🔥 🔥 |
| COVID-19 | 🔥 🔥 |
| Strep Throat | ⚖ |
| Seasonal Allergies | ⚖ |
| Viral Pneumonia | 🔥 🔥 |
| Symptom: Difficulty Breathing | |
| Condition | Presence |
| Common Cold | ❌ |
| RSV | ✔ |
| Flu | ❌ |
| COVID-19 | ✔ |
| Strep Throat | ❌ |
| Seasonal Allergies | ❌ |
| Viral Pneumonia | ✔ |
| Symptom: Chest Discomfort | |
| Condition | Severity |
| Common Cold | ❌ |
| RSV | ❌ |
| Flu | ⚖ |
| COVID-19 | ⚖ |
| Strep Throat | ❌ |
| Seasonal Allergies | ❌ |
| Viral Pneumonia | ✔ |
Explanation of Symbols: • ✔️: Present, Mild or Typical symptom • ❌: Not Present • ⚖️: Moderate (Mild to Moderate) • 🔥: Severe (High intensity) • ⚖️🔥: Combination of Moderate and Severe symptoms.
Key Differences in Illness Patterns of most Common Winter or Upper Respiratory Illnesses
| Aspect: How It Starts | |
| Condition | Onset Type |
| Common Cold | Gradually |
| RSV | Gradually or Suddenly |
| Flu | Abruptly |
| COVID-19 | Gradually or Abruptly |
| Strep Throat | Gradually |
| Seasonal Allergies | Gradually |
| Aspect: Symptom Duration | |
| Condition | Duration |
| Common Cold | 7-10 Days |
| RSV | 1-2 Weeks |
| Flu | 7-14 Days |
| COVID-19 | 7-14 Days |
| Strep Throat | 3-7 Days |
| Seasonal Allergies | Weeks to Months |
| Viral Pneumonia | Weeks to Months |
| Aspect: Severity | |
| Condition | Level of Severity |
| Common Cold | Mild |
| RSV | Moderate to Severe |
| Flu | Severe |
| COVID-19 | Severe |
| Strep Throat | Moderate |
| Seasonal Allergies | Mild |
| Viral Pneumonia | Severe |
| Aspect: Prolonged Symptoms | |
| Condition | Frequency |
| Common Cold | Rare |
| RSV | Sometimes |
| Flu | Rare |
| COVID-19 | Sometimes |
| Strep Throat | Rare |
| Seasonal Allergies | Sometimes |
| Viral Pneumonia | Common |
Understanding Key Respiratory Conditions
Common Cold (Viral)
The Common Cold is a mild viral infection that primarily affects the nose and throat, causing a runny nose, sore throat, and coughing. It typically lasts 7–10 days and is self-limiting. There’s no need for antibiotics, as it is caused by viruses, and treatment focuses on symptom relief.
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) – Viral
RSV is a highly contagious virus that causes respiratory illness, particularly in young children. It can mimic cold symptoms but may lead to more serious breathing issues like wheezing or difficulty breathing, especially in infants and toddlers. RSV usually resolves in 1–2 weeks, but in severe cases, it may require medical intervention.
Flu (Influenza) – Viral
The flu is caused by influenza viruses and often presents suddenly, with symptoms like high fever, fatigue, body aches, and a cough. Unlike the common cold, flu symptoms can be severe and last for 7–14 days. Vaccination can help prevent the flu, but once contracted, antiviral medications may reduce symptom severity if taken early.
COVID-19 – Viral
COVID-19 symptoms often overlap with the flu and the common cold, starting with upper respiratory symptoms such as a sore throat, cough, or runny nose. However, COVID-19 can quickly progress to lower respiratory symptoms, leading to difficulty breathing and pneumonia. Testing is necessary to confirm whether it’s COVID-19, and treatment varies based on severity.
Strep Throat (Bacterial)
Strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection and primarily affects the throat, causing severe soreness, difficulty swallowing, and fever. Unlike viral infections, strep throat is treated with antibiotics, and symptoms improve within a few days of starting treatment. It doesn’t typically cause nasal congestion or coughing.
Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to allergens like pollen, dust, or mold. They can mimic cold symptoms, including a runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes, but they do not cause fever or body aches. Antihistamines and avoiding allergens are the primary treatment options. Know More!
Viral Pneumonia – Viral
Viral Pneumonia, also called walking pneumonia when it’s mild, is a lung infection caused by viruses such as influenza, RSV, or COVID-19. It often starts like a cold but can worsen over time, causing chest pain, shortness of breath, and a persistent cough. Unlike bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics are ineffective, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms and supporting recovery. We have a dedicated blog post on Facts and Myths on Pneumonia.
Viral vs. Bacterial: Understanding the Difference
It’s important to know whether an illness is viral or bacterial because the treatment approach differs. Viral infections (such as the flu, COVID-19, and RSV) do not respond to antibiotics and are managed through symptom relief, rest, and hydration. In contrast, bacterial infections like strep throat require antibiotics for effective treatment.
Allergy Symptoms: When Should You Seek Medical Help?
If your child has any combination of the following symptoms, it’s important to seek medical care:
- Persistent fever that doesn’t go away with
fever-reducing medication - Difficulty breathing or wheezing
- Severe chest pain or discomfort
- Symptoms that don’t improve or worsen after a few days
At Southwest Urgent Care in Telfair – Sugar Land, Texas, we provide On Site Testing, diagnosis, and treatments for a range of respiratory illnesses. Whether your child has a cold, RSV, Flu, COVID-19, or even viral pneumonia, we’re here to help.
No appointment needed and we’re open every day to support your family’s health.
Conclusion on Overlapping Symptoms of Most Common Illnesses in Kids this Season and Beyond.
Understanding the differences between common respiratory illnesses like the common cold, RSV, flu, COVID-19, and viral pneumonia is crucial, especially for parents in the Houston, Texas area, where flu seasons and allergens can overlap. Knowing when to seek care can make all the difference in ensuring your child’s health. If you’re unsure about your child’s symptoms, feel free to visit Southwest Urgent Care for quick, reliable testing and care.
Walk in today or Call Now to know more!
