Normal cough versus coronavirus cough: How to tell if your child's cough is COVID or something else

Amid ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, something as common as a cough could give anyone a viral scare. Especially if you notice your child coughing persistently, showcasing other symptoms like fever, sore throat and fatigue, you would most likely be alarmed.

But while cough is a common coronavirus induced COVID symptom, not all coughs necessarily mean a SARs-CoV-2 infection. That said, it is important to understand what a COVID cough would sound or look like. Let us find out.

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As compared to a normal cough, a COVID-induced cough is characterized by two factors i.e. dry and a persistent cough.

A dry cough usually occurs without any phlegm or mucus and may have a hacking sound. It has a consistent, rough sound to it since it comes with no mucus. Other things that separates it from a normal cough is that COVID cough is usually persistent and can linger on for weeks and sometimes even months.

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If a person has COVID-19, within the first week, they're likely to report symptoms like fever, fatigue, headaches, muscle pain along with cough.

With the onset of Omicron, symptoms like sore throat, runny nose, sneezing and gastrointestinal problems like nause, loss of appetite and vomiting have become prevalent too.

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Following the emergence of the Omicron variant, many doctors have raised concerns over another common symptom in young kids known as croup.

Pediatricians reported that kids younger than 5 years old were getting infected with the new variant of COVID-19 and were coming down with a barking cough.

Croup is an infection of the upper airways, which not only blocks breathing, but also triggers a distinctive barking sound. This occurs when a child's airway becomes inflamed and swollen, making it narrower than it usually is. Usually, it may be accompanied with fever, hoarseness, laboured or noisy breathing.

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While dry, persistent cough could be a sign of COVID-19, it could also be a symptom of a cold or flu, asthma, allergies, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or could be caused by smoke.

In this case, parents need to be aware of the associated symptoms. If the cough is accompanied by sneezing, red eyes, and a scratchy throat, it could be an allergy. Similarly, if your child's cough worsens with gastrointestinal issues, then it could be a sign of GERD.

Since the current COVID-19 symptoms are milder and almost similar to symptoms associated with a cold or a flu, the best way to diagnose your child's condition is by getting them tested.

An RT-PCR or a rapid antigen test are currently the most effective COVID diagnostic tests. While an RT-PCR is more time consuming than a rapid test, it is more accurate and reliable.

Given that the majority of the children's population is yet to receive their COVID-19 vaccination, they're one of the most vulnerable groups of people currently. That said, ensure that your child wears a mask, maintains social distance in public areas and follows proper hand hygiene.