Jessica Duquette » Common Childhood Illnesses

Common Childhood Illnesses

Influenza: Similar to Covid-19 the flu virus is spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. Symptoms include fever* or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue (tiredness), vomiting and diarrhea which is more common in children.


Gastroenteritis/Norovirus (stomach bug): The virus is spread through direct contact with an infected person, consuming contaminated food or water, touching contaminated surfaces, and then putting your unwashed hands in your mouth  Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain which can lead to dehydration.


Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV, Common Cold): These are spread through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, if you get virus droplets from a cough or sneeze in your eyes, nose, or mouth if you touch a surface that has the virus on it, like a doorknob, and then touch your face before washing your hands.  Symptoms are usually mild but can be severe in older adults, infants, and those with a history of respiratory disease such as asthma.  Symptoms include: runny nose, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, wheezing 
 
COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person talks, coughs, sneezes or is in close contact with an infected person.  Symptoms may include; fever/chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose or nasal congestion,    Muscle or body aches,  Fatigue,  Headache,  New loss of taste or smell, Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea