Is it a Common Cold, Flu, COVID, or RSV? One Local Pediatrician Helps Families Navigate the Season

As we head into the colder months, many parents worry about keeping their children healthy. With many serious viruses showing similar symptoms to a common cold, it can be hard to tell the difference, especially in young children. Dr. Karen Morgan, a pediatrician at Merrimack Pediatrics, sees these concerns often. Here, she explains the key differences between a cold, the flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), shares advice on keeping your family healthy, and talks about when it’s time to visit a doctor. 

Question: What’s the difference between the common cold, flu, RSV, and COVID? 

Dr. Karen Morgan: Though they share common symptoms, they are all triggered by different viruses. 

• The common cold is caused by rhinovirus and has mild symptoms, including sore throat, runny nose, cough, and sometimes a low fever. Although everybody experiences illnesses differently, in most cases, you can still function when you have a cold, whereas with the flu, RSV, or COVID-19, you may not. Most colds get better with rest and fluids. 

• The flu is more contagious than a cold and is caused by the influenza virus, which is seen worldwide and has a seasonal cycle, typically starting in the fall and lasting through the spring. Symptoms include body aches, chills, cough, fatigue, high fever, headache, sore throat, stuffy nose, and other respiratory symptoms. 

• RSV is highly contagious and can affect the respiratory system, including the nose, throat, and lungs. In most people, the virus will present with cold-like symptoms, like a runny nose, cough, and low-grade fever. However, RSV often leads to wheezing, faster breathing, and sometimes, trouble breathing in infants. Some children can develop a cough that takes up to six weeks to clear. Especially in infants, RSV can cause serious respiratory complications. 

• COVID-19 is also highly contagious and is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and is more serious because of the higher mortality rate. Its common symptoms are body aches, chills, cough, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, headache, loss of smell/taste, nausea/vomiting, shortness of breath, and stuffy/runny nose. For the most part, children seem to fare much better than adults if they get the coronavirus, but families should still be extra cautious. However, some children shed the virus without ever developing symptoms. 

Question: With such similar symptoms, is there a more definitive way to tell if someone has a common cold, flu, RSV, or COVID? 

Dr. Karen Morgan: Unfortunately, testing is the only way to determine which virus is present due to the overlapping symptoms of these viruses.  

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Question: What can I do to prevent my child from getting sick? 

Dr. Karen Morgan: A few steps to lower your child’s risk include: 

• Frequent handwashing: Encourage everyone to wash their hands often, especially after coming home from school or other public spaces. 
• Limit close contact: Avoid close contact with people who show signs of a cold or cough, especially for infants. 
• Clean surfaces: Disinfect items your child frequently touches, such as toys and doorknobs. 
• Stay home when sick: If your child has any symptoms, keeping them home can help stop the spread of viruses. 

Question: when to call your doctor for concerns?  

Dr. Karen Morgan: If you’re unsure about your child’s symptoms, seeing a pediatrician is a good idea. We can test for flu, RSV, and COVID right in the office.  Early visits with us can prevent complications from these viruses like RSV and other serious respiratory illnesses.  At Merrimack Pediatrics, our team stays informed on the latest treatments to provide the best care for each child. This season, we are providing a vaccine in the office to help lower the risk of serious respiratory complications to RSV in infants.  

Count on Merrimack Pediatrics this fall/winter season 

If you’re searching for a pediatrician near you who knows how to manage all these illnesses, Merrimack Pediatrics is here to help. Dr. Karen Morgan is dedicated to supporting local families through this season, providing knowledge, care, and guidance when it matters most. 

To learn more or make an appointment, visit Merrimack Pediatrics. Dr. Karen Morgan and her team are accepting new patients and are ready to help keep your children healthy all season long. Visit our website to learn more, or to make an appointment, call 603-429-3155. 

Before earning her doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from the University of New England, Dr. Karen Morgan received a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Merrimack College and a master’s degree in medical sciences from Boston University. She completed her postdoctoral training at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and has worked in pediatrics ever since. Dr. Morgan is in practice at Merrimack Pediatrics and is accepting new patients.