Even healthy kids get sick during winter, and sorting out symptoms to know how best to treat can be tricky. From COVID-19 to the flu, allergies and RSV, understanding symptoms and recovery times can feel a bit like solving a puzzle.
RSV can send young children to the hospital, so deciphering the symptoms and knowing when to check in with your pediatrician or seek other medical help is important.
“What starts as a stuffy nose and mild fever can progress into a deep cough with shortness of breath. These symptoms are similar to COVID-19, so it can be hard for parents to know what is going on,” says Ashley Lucas, MD, medical director of pediatrics with Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health. While COVID-19 affects the elderly the most, RSV can be worrisome in young infants and children with underlying lung disease. Most older children and adults have some immunity to RSV and have mild cases.
ParentingU has a handy tool that can help – an easy-to-follow infographic that breaks down key symptoms along with average recovery times.
