A youngster having a runny, stuffy nose or cough when they get home from school in November is nothing new. However, for parents, the stakes feel particularly high at the moment: Just a cold, then? a flu? Or are these symptoms typical of COVID or RSV? Why it's important: As flu, respiratory viruses, and coronavirus infections are rising across the country, it can be challenging for parents to differentiate between the illnesses because some of the symptoms are similar.