Schools Reopening? Stay prepared, learn about flu and Covid-19

Posted on: Mar 3, 2021 | | Written by:

Schools Reopening? Stay prepared, learn about flu and Covid-19

Est read time 2 minutes, Published on 22nd Feb 2o21

Covid-19 is a serious condition that can cause cough, fever, breathing problems, and other symptoms. As schools are pondering over reopening after a long break, many parents are concerned about the safety of their children, especially during the flu season. Both these conditions have many common symptoms and it may be difficult to distinguish the two. This could also necessitate visiting the doctor or quarantining the entire family.

If you are thinking of sending your child to school, here are certain things you must know about Covid-19 and the flu. Also, make sure you have health insurance for coronavirus to cover the medical expenses and get access to the best treatment, if needed.

Things to lookout for to decide whether the kid has flu or Covid-19

Both coronavirus and flu are caused when viruses infect the respiratory tract and have some common symptoms. Here is what you should lookout for to decide if your kid has the flu or Covid-19.

1. Incubation period and serial interval: Flu, caused by the influenza virus, has a shorter median incubation period.If anyonegets infected with the influenza virus, the symptoms will appear within 1-4 days. Also, the time between successive cases or serial interval is shorter, i.e. 3 days.

On the other hand, the median incubation period for Covid-19 is 5-6 days and the serial interval is over 4 days.

2. Onset of symptoms: In flu, one will experience an abrupt onset of the symptoms, such as cough, fever, fatigue, headache, body aches, and loss of appetite.

In case of Covid-19, one will not notice all symptoms in the beginning. It usually starts with a cough and fever and other symptoms appear gradually. These include high fever, respiratory issues, cough, body aches, loss of taste and smell, diarrhoea, and more.

3. Severity:Flu, usually causes mild to severe illness with symptoms such as cough, fever, fatigue, sore throat, and muscle pain. The symptoms go away after 5 days or so in healthy people. Cough and weakness can be there for a longer time.

Covid-19 is more severe than the flu. However, kids infected with coronavirus may not have any symptoms. Some kids may experience mild symptoms, like those of a common cold.

Hence, if your child has a sudden fever with chills, headache and body aches, it can be the flu. Some may also experience cough, sore throat, runny nose, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhoea. The condition gets cured within 5-6 days with good rest and plenty of liquids. In certain cases, the doctor may prescribe an antiviral medicine to shorten the illness.

On the other hand, kids infected by the coronavirus may have very mild or no symptoms. However, some may also have severe flu-like symptoms with loss of taste and smell. The symptoms last for more than 5 days with no relief. In such cases, doctors can do a test to know if there is Covid-19 virus in the respiratory tract.

Overlapping symptoms of flu and Covid-19

The most prominent symptoms common in flu and Covid-19 are:

Fever
Cough and sore throat
Fatigue
Headache
Runny or stuffy nose
Body ache or muscle pain
Diarrhoea and vomiting

Precautions you must take before sending kids to school

Although kids are less likely to catch and spread the coronavirus infection, it is important to teach them these simple habits to stay safe and healthy.

Washing hands often, especially before eating and after touching surfaces
Wearing a mask
Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer when it is not possible to wash hands
Maintaining a safe distance from others
Avoid touching the eyes, nose, or mouth
Avoid consuming outside foods and beverages

Conclusion:

Covid-19 cases are decreasing in many countries around the world and schools are reopening gradually. However,parentsneed to understand potential risks and take the necessary precautions before sending kids to school. You must also take health insurance for coronavirus or a Corona Rakshak policy for prompt medical treatment and quality healthcare, in case your child tests positive for Covid-19.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

I Tested Positive for COVID-19. What should I do now?

Follow these 10 tips to keep your child protected against Covid-19

How to avail COVID-19 Test Free of Cost in India?

Is Coronavirus Covered By Your Health Insurance? |HDFC ERGO

Coronavirus: What are the Symptoms and When Should I See a Doctor ?