COVID, cold, flu or dengue? How to differentiate between symptoms and what to do when your child is sick

The changing weather and ongoing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought along an influx of different viruses in play, and led to a repeated uptick of routine infections as well. While we are currently observing a slow rise in COVID-19 cases, there's been a sharp rise in the number of cold, flu, dengue as well as other respiratory infections being reported right now, which also means difficult news for the kids.

Not only are kids said to be at risk for COVID with the onset of the third wave, experts worldwide are hinting that there's been a daunting rise in the number of respiratory infections and severe viral infections being reported in the younger population. While kids have remained out of danger for more than a year, being 'unexposed' is now leading to a crisis, and making their immunity even weaker than before, which is leading to a sharp rise in cases. Those who have previously been naturally exposed to any of the infections are now also at the risk of losing out on the immune protection, and contract the illness. But how do you tell symptoms apart, when it comes to kids?

With more and more schools opening up and kids resuming pre-pandemic life back, with or without a vaccine, here's how to know if your child's infection symptoms are that of COVID, flu, dengue or just a regular cold, and the next steps to take?

Even though overall cases are ebbing, with adult vaccinations and natural exposures, kids can still be very much at risk and if a third COVID wave is to come, we could see many pediatric COVID cases gain significance. Having said that, a COVID infection in kids is said to be much milder or asymptomatic in comparison to adults, but still needs to be critically monitored. Be it the Alpha or the Delta variant, the most concerning symptoms of COVID to watch out for in kids, especially with them returning to schools are:

-A moderate to high fever, lasting for upto 4 days

-Persistent cough and runny nose

-Appetite loss, upset tummy

-Red-bluish discolouration around fingers and toes, rashes (known as COVID toes)

-Nausea

-Headaches and body pain

-Runny, red eyes

-Troubled breathing

With the COVID-19 pandemic, dengue virus has also made a sudden appearance and with a new serotype in prevalence, there's a threat that the new variant, namely the DENV-2 variant could cause severe complications and even lead to a rise in hospitalization. While the symptoms of dengue can come up 4-10 days post the bite of the aedes mosquito, the most common symptoms of the infection, in kids could be

-High fever, which doesn't settle quick (reaching over 105 degrees Fahrenheit)

-Congestion

-Headache, chills and body pain

-Nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain

-Rashes over the body

-Pain behind the eyes

-Joint pain, myalgia

-Acute fatigue

The viral flu, too, much like the dengue, has made a comeback in a nastier form. While kids do occasionally catch flu and the viral fever through their growing years, cold and the viral flu right now, during the COVID pandemic can appear in worse forms simply because of 'lost immunity' and previous waning exposure to the virus. Similarly, certain respiratory complications, which were otherwise rarely seen before are seen to afflict the younger population in parts of Europe.

With the influenza and viral fever, while there run a great risk of infection transmission, a viral flu can be mild amongst children and present the following symptoms:

-A low or a moderate grade fever, lasting for 3-4 days

-Cold and runny nose, with or without congestion

-Persistent coughing.

-Mild body pain, fatigue and weakness.

With all the three infections, there can be the risk of experiencing similar symptoms, which can delay diagnosis and in some cases, lead to inaccurate or wrong treatments. For one, all the three infections, caused by viruses could lead to common symptoms like a fever, some upper respiratory inflammation and body pain. However, of the three, dengue fever is the most unsettling one, since it's severe and lasts for a longer time.

With COVID-19, seldom cough, cold, troubled breathing could be accompanied by a changed sense of taste or smell, with fever. In kids, these symptoms could persist for a shorter time, and fade away on their own, much like a viral fever or flu-like illness.

If you do suspect your child to be sick, the first steps to take should focus on ensuring ample rest and recovery, isolating them from people around them (especially school) and then get testing done.

With symptoms vaguely similar, experts recommend that parents be on the lookout for the onset of symptoms, suspected exposure, if at all other people around them get sick (especially with COVID) and then get a test done accordingly. In certain cases, it might also be recommended to get a COVID and dengue test done, at the same time.

The other thing to ensure is to let the kid rest and monitor the symptoms accordingly. While kids can recover well under supervision and symptomatic treatment, look for any symptoms of worsening, or any signs of visible sickness and approach timely help.