Influenza and COVID-19 Signs and Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of influenza?

• Sym​ptoms develop 1 to 3 days after a person has become infected.
• Influenza has a sudden onset with fever, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, sore throat, tiredness and cough.
• Fever may not be prominent in children or the elderly.
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are not common in adults but may occur in children.
• Influenza is more severe than the common cold.
• In severe cases, influenza may result in pneumonia, bronchitis, kidney or heart failure.
• Most symptoms resolve in 5 to 7 days, but cough and fatigue can last 2 weeks or more.

What are the signs and symptoms of COVID-19?

There is a spectrum of COVID-19 disease severity, ranging from no symptoms or mild, to moderate, severe and fatal disease. Symptoms are often similar to other respiratory viruses.  Most children and adolescents have mild or no symptoms, but some can experience severe disease. Symptoms mimic those of adults which are predominantly upper respiratory symptoms, including runny nose, sneezing and sore throat.

• Common Symptoms are: Runny nose, Sneezing, Sore throat, Headache
• Less Frequent Symptoms are: Persistent cough, Joint pain, Chills, Fever, Dizziness, Muscle pain, Gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain), Hoarse voice, New loss of or altered sense of smell
• Rare Symptoms are: Swollen glands, Chest pain, Irregular heartbeat, Shortness of breath, Skin changes, Delirium, Confusion/brain fog

Individuals should be informed to seek medical attention should they experience any of the following:

• Trouble breathing or severe shortness of breath
• Persistent pressure or pain in the chest
• New onset of confusion or altered level of consciousness
• Inability to wake up or stay awake
• Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds

Post-COVID-19 condition (PCC)/ Long COVID –19

Most people with COVID-19 get better within weeks of illness, but some people can experience post-COVID-19 condition (PCC). PCC is a condition in which symptoms persist for more than 8 weeks and are present 12 or more weeks following acute infection with SARS-CoV-2 and cannot be explained by an alternate diagnosis. It refers to the longer-term effects some people experience after their COVID-19 illness.

Symptoms can include: fatigue, dyspnea, other respiratory issues, cardiovascular issues, pain, sleep disturbances, decrease in quality of life, cognitive impairment, and anxiety and/or depression.

What if my child or I have symptoms?

• Do not attend daycare, school, place of work, social gathering places (e.g. coffee shop) or volunteer activities while symptoms are present.
• If you are a health-care worker, do not attend work for 5 days after onset of symptoms.

​S​hould I call my doctor?

​Call your doctor if any of the following symptoms develop:

• Chest pain or pressure
• Shortness of breath while resting
• Difficult or painful breathing
• Coughing up bloody sputum
• Wheezing
• Drowsiness, disorientation or confusion
• Extreme pain in your ear
• A fever greater than 39 degrees Celsius that lasts more than 4 days or is getting worse
• You start to feel better and suddenly get a fever over 39 degrees Celsius and start to feel sick again

For children, call the doctor if the child:​

• Has heart or lung disease or a chronic illness that requires regular medical care
• Has a disease or is taking drugs or treatments that affect the immune system
• Has trouble breathing
• Is less than 6 months old and has a temperature over 38.5 degrees Celsius
• Is irritable and cannot be calmed down
• Is listless and doesn't play with toys, drinks little fluid and does not urinate at least every 6 hours when awake
• Has severe vomiting or diarrhea
• Symptoms improve and then suddenly get worse.