RSV vs. Flu: Diagnosing Your Child’s Fever and Cough

If your child has a cough and fever, you may first think of COVID-19. But other viruses, like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza virus (flu), cause the same symptoms. So, how do you tell the difference?

At Wellness Pediatrics, PC, in Fairfax, Virginia, our experienced pediatricians, Dr. Tina Floy and Dr. Trinidad Rojas, don’t want you to have to guess what’s causing your child’s fever and cough based on symptoms alone. That’s why we offer same-day sick visits and on-site lab tests for COVID-19, RSV, and the flu. 

Because it’s now RSV and flu season, we want to explain the difference between these two viruses and how to diagnose the cause of your child’s fever and cough.

Could it be RSV?

RSV is a respiratory virus affecting the nose, throat, and lungs. Most children who get RSV have mild cold symptoms like a fever, cough, runny nose, and congestion. These mild symptoms usually last about 5-7 days. 

However, RSV can turn into bronchiolitis or pneumonia. Bronchiolitis is inflammation of the bronchioles, the small airways in the lungs. Pneumonia causes inflammation of the alveoli or lung sacs.  

These more serious lung infections may cause a high fever and rapid breathing. If your child has these symptoms, you need to call us so we can schedule a sick visit immediately.

Could it be the flu?

The flu is also a respiratory virus that causes a cough and fever. But your child may have other symptoms if they have the flu, such as:

• Body aches
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Feverish chills

A flu infection tends to develop quickly and cause severe aches and pains. Most children recover from the flu within a few days. But this viral infection may also cause complications like pneumonia. 

Like RSV, if your child has a prolonged fever or trouble breathing, you need to schedule a sick visit to determine what’s causing their symptoms.

Getting the right diagnosis and treatment

You may debate back and forth about bringing your child in for care when they have a cough and fever. After all, in most cases, it’s only a cold, and the best treatment is fluid and rest.

However, there’s never a wrong time to bring your child in for care when they’re not feeling well. We can quickly see if their symptoms are due to RSV, the flu, or COVID-19 and provide you with instructions on how to care for your child and monitor their symptoms at home. 

We can also explain what symptoms to watch out for so you can get your child the urgent care they might need if their RSV or flu turns into something more serious.

Not all fevers and coughs have the same cause. Getting the right diagnosis helps you provide the right care. Call our office to schedule a sick visit, or use the online booking tool for less urgent health concerns so we can give you the right diagnosis.