Common Cold |
Flu (Influenza) |
COVID-19 |
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Common symptoms |
Colds are often mild and typically include:
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Flu symptoms may feel worse, including:
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Symptoms may be mild like the common cold or severe like the flu. One unique symptom of COVID-19 is the loss of taste or smell. |
| Symptom onset after exposure |
1 - 3 days | 1 - 4 days | 2 - 14 days COVID-19 can take longer to develop and seems to spread more easily than flu, even if no symptoms are present. |
| Duration of Symptoms | 3 - 14 days | 10 - 14 days | 10 - 14 days |
| Diagnosis | There is no test to diagnose the common cold. |
Testing is available. Ask a provider if testing is needed. |
Testing is available. A swab (viral) test is used to determine a current infection. Check local health department websites for testing locations and options. |
| Treatment | No specific treatment other than getting lots of rest and drinking plenty of fluids. Ask a provider if over-the-counter cold remedies are right for your child. |
Antiviral medicines are available by prescription to ease symptoms and shorten the illness. | Only one antiviral drug is FDA-approved to treat COVID-19 in kids aged 12 and older. |
| Complications | Bronchitis, strep throat, sinus or ear infections, or asthma attack. | Pneumonia, respiratory failure, sepsis, worsening of chronic medical conditions, inflammation of the heart, brain or muscle tissue. | Same complications as the flu, in addition to risk of blood clots in the lungs, heart, legs and brain, or MIS-C (multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. |
| Vaccine Availability | None. Since COVID-19 can present as a cold, children with mild cold symptoms should consider COVID-19 testing if there is a risk of exposing others. |
Yes. Everyone 6 months of age and older (with rare exceptions) should get a flu shot each year. | Yes. COVID-19 vaccines are available to kids aged 5 and older. For more information and resources on COVID-19, visit akronchildrens.org/coronavirus |
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
