Seasonal illnesses like the cold and COVID-19 have many overlapping symptoms.

(EAST LANSING, MICH.) Fall and winter mark the peak season for common respiratory infections such as COVID-19; respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV; influenza, better known as the flu; and the common cold. These illnesses often begin with symptoms that look very similar, so telling them apart can be tricky – especially when the beginning of cold and flu season in the fall can be the tail end of summer seasonal allergies.

So if your child comes down with symptoms like a cough, runny nose or sore throat, should you keep them home?

Originally published on theconversation.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.