If your child is feeling unwell, it can be difficult to figure out what might be causing it. Many common viruses and allergies can cause similar symptoms such as sneezing and runny nose, but there are some key differences that can help guide you to a possible cause. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's symptoms, talk to your child's pediatrician.
What is a cold?
A cold is a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory tract (includes the nose, sinuses, and throat). Colds can be caused by many viruses.[1]
What is the flu?
The flu is a viral infection caused by only a few specific viruses that affect the upper respiratory tract (includes nose, sinuses, and throat) and sometimes the lungs.[2]
What is COVID?
COVID is a viral infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It affects the respiratory system, including the nose, throat, and lungs.[3]
What are allergies?
Allergies are an overreaction of the immune system to substances that are generally harmless to most people. These substances, known as allergens, can include pollen, dust mites and pet dander. When someone with allergies encounters an allergen, their immune system mistakenly identifies it as a harmful invader and launches an immune response.
During an allergic reaction, the immune system produces antibodies. In turn, these antibodies trigger the release of chemicals such as histamine, which cause frustrating symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose/throat and itchy, watery eyes. Nearly 1 in 5 US children have a seasonal allergy.[4]
How it starts
Cold
Most colds start with a sore throat and some stuffiness followed by other symptoms like cough and a low grade fever.[5]
Flu
Flu generally starts more suddenly and severely than a cold, with a higher fever and chills. A child with the flu feels much more achy and uncomfortable.[6]
COVID
COVID can start with a variety of symptoms, but common early signs include a fever, dry cough, and fatigue. Some people may also experience a loss of taste or smell. Other early symptoms can include muscle aches, headaches, and a sore throat. Unlike the flu, COVID symptoms can develop more gradually over a few days. The severity of COVID symptoms can vary widely from mild to severe.[3]
Allergies
Allergies often begin with symptoms like sneezing, itchy nose or throat, a runny nose, and watery eyes. These symptoms can appear quickly after exposure to an allergen. Seasonal allergies, particularly common in spring and fall, are often triggered by pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds. Other common allergens include dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander. Seasonal allergy symptoms typically do not include a fever or body aches.[7]
Common symptoms
Cold symptoms
Every year, millions of people in the United States get a cold (upper respiratory infection), and this is no exception for children. In fact, the common cold leads to the most missed school days every year.[8]
While uncomfortable, cold symptoms tend to be milder than flu or COVID symptoms. Common kids’ cold symptoms include:[8,9]
Runny or stuffy nose
Sneezing
Congestion
Sore throat
Low-grade fever between 99.6° to 100.3° F
Flu symptoms
The flu is caused by one of three types of viruses, known as influenza types A, B, and C. Like COVID, the flu mainly impacts the lungs, but symptoms can affect the whole body. Most of the time, children who get the flu are sick for one week or less.[6]
Some common flu symptoms in kids include:[6,10]
Fever, which can reach between 103° and 105° F
Body aches
Cough that can become severe
Tiredness
In some cases, children may also have gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. Flu symptoms tend to resolve after around one week, but tiredness can last up to one month.[10]
For more information on how to relieve cold and flu symptoms, visit this page.
COVID symptoms
COVID-19 is an upper respiratory illness that looks similar to other viral infections. While they are generally the same, COVID symptoms tend to be milder in children than in adults.[11]
Common COVID symptoms in kids include:[11]
Cough
Sore throat
Shortness of breath
New loss of taste or smell
Extreme fatigue
Runny or stuffy nose
Diarrhea
When comparing the flu versus COVID in kids, many of the symptoms overlap. Talk to your child’s doctor about getting tested for both viruses if they’re sick.[11]
Allergy symptoms
Allergy symptoms can be uncomfortable and often mimic those of a cold. Common allergy symptoms in kids include:
Sneezing
Running or stuffy nose
Itchy or watery eyes
Itchy throat
These symptoms can be particularly noticeable during seasonal changes, such as spring and fall. Indoor allergens can cause year-round symptoms. Note that reactions to a food allergy can be quite different, and include stomach upset such as nausea and cramps. If you suspect your child has a severe allergy, speak with a healthcare professional.[7]
How long does a cold last?
A child usually has a cold for 3-10 days.[8]
How long does the flu last?
Most children recover from the flu within a week, but symptoms may linger for up to three weeks.[6]
How long does COVID last?
COVID symptoms typically last for 1-2 weeks. While some children may experience symptoms for a longer period, the majority recover within a week or two.[11]
How long do allergies last?
Allergy symptoms in children can last as long as the allergen is present. For seasonal allergies, this can be several weeks during peak pollen seasons in spring and fall. For year-round allergies caused by indoor allergens, symptoms can persist indefinitely unless the allergen is removed or managed.
Symptom Comparison
Need a quick chart that lists common symptoms? Here, we’ve provided a table of the most common symptoms of COVID-19, the flu, the common cold, and allergies. While it is important to know the symptoms of these illnesses, please reach out to your child’s doctor if they begin experiencing any of these symptoms again, or if you have any questions or concerns. This list is not an exhaustive list of symptoms, and symptoms can vary from person to person.[6,8-13]
Headache
Common Cold | Flu | COVID-19 | Allergies |
|---|---|---|---|
Sometimes | Common | Sometimes | Sometimes |
Fever/Chills
Common Cold | Flu | COVID-19 | Allergies |
|---|---|---|---|
Sometimes, fever can be low-grade | Common, fever can be high | Common | No |
Cough
Common Cold | Flu | COVID-19 | Allergies |
|---|---|---|---|
Common | Common | Common | No |
Runny/Stuffy Nose
Common Cold | Flu | COVID-19 | Allergies |
|---|---|---|---|
Common | Sometimes | Common | Common |
Itchy Throat or Nose
Common Cold | Flu | COVID-19 | Allergies |
|---|---|---|---|
No | No | No | Common |
Sore Throat
Common Cold | Flu | COVID-19 | Allergies |
|---|---|---|---|
Common | Sometimes | Common | No |
Body/Muscle Aches
Common Cold | Flu | COVID-19 | Allergies |
|---|---|---|---|
Sometimes | Common | Sometimes | No |
Fatigue/Exhaustion
Common Cold | Flu | COVID-19 | Allergies |
|---|---|---|---|
Sometimes | Common | Common | No |
Nausea/Vomiting/Diarrhea
Common Cold | Flu | COVID-19 | Allergies |
|---|---|---|---|
No | Sometimes | Sometimes | No |
Sneezing
Common Cold | Flu | COVID-19 | Allergies |
|---|---|---|---|
Common | Sometimes | Common | Common |
Itchy, Watery Eyes
Common Cold | Flu | COVID-19 | Allergies |
|---|---|---|---|
No | No | No | Common |
Chest Congestion
Common Cold | Flu | COVID-19 | Allergies |
|---|---|---|---|
Common | Common | Common | No |
Cold vs Flu vs COVID vs Allergies: Key Differences
While there is some overlap between symptoms for these common viral infections and allergies, key differences for parents to watch out for include:
Duration
A cold typically lasts 3-10 days. The flu typically lasts up to one week and COVID last 7-14 days, with symptoms potentially lingering for up to three weeks or more. Allergies can persist as long as the allergen is present, which can be several weeks for seasonal allergies or indefinite for year-round allergens.
Symptoms
Colds tend to be the most manageable. Flu symptoms often come on fast and furious, with high fever, significant body aches, and severe fatigue. Meanwhile, COVID symptoms can mirror those of the flu, but with additional factors like loss of taste and smell and a range of severity in how symptoms are felt. Allergy responses depend on the individual's immune reaction to the allergen present but never includes a fever and can include itchy, watery eyes.
Causes
Colds are caused by various viruses, most commonly rhinoviruses. COVID is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and the flu is caused by influenza viruses. Allergies are caused by an overreaction of the immune system to allergens in the immediate environment.
Help treat your child’s symptoms
Cold & Flu Symptoms
TYLENOL® offers a variety of children’s medicine products to help manage your little one’s symptoms.
Not sure which product is right for your child? For more detailed information on pediatric TYLENOL® products, visit our “How to Choose the Right TYLENOL® Product for Your Child” page.
Allergy Symptoms
To help you relieve your child’s allergy symptoms, consider taking an over-the-counter allergy medicine such as ZYRTEC®.
