Many of the symptoms of COVID-19 are also common in other childhood illnesses like the common cold, the flu, or seasonal allergies. The table to the left illustrates some of the overlap between the symptoms of COVID-19 (Note: The table  does not include all COVID-19 symptoms).

The overlap between COVID-19 symptoms with other common illnesses means that many people with symptoms of COVID-19 may actually be ill with something else. This is even more likely in young children, who typically have multiple viral illnesses each year.   For example, it is common for young children to have up to eight respiratory illnesses or “colds” every year.  Although COVID-19 and illnesses like colds or the flu have similar symptoms, they are different disease processes.  With that being said,  there is no symptom or set of symptoms that only occurs in children diagnosed with COVID-19.   

The Berlin-Boylston district school nurses support and encourage parents to keep their child home when sick in order to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19 (and other illnesses including flu) and help keep schools open.

References: CDC