Flu, RSV, and Strep Symptoms and When to Call for Telehealth

Sick season in Georgia can feel like one long blur of fevers, coughs, and late-night worry. It’s hard to tell what’s “just a virus” and when it might be flu, RSV, or strep—and whether a telehealth visit is enough or your child needs to be seen in person.

This guide from Hall Pediatrics walks you through flu, RSV, and strep symptoms and when to call for telehealth, when a phone visit is enough, and when your child needs in-person or emergency care.

Important: This article is for general information only and does not replace medical care. If you ever feel unsure, call your pediatrician. Call 911 or go to the ER for severe symptoms.

When to Seek Emergency Care Right Away

Skip telehealth and go straight to the ER or call 911 if your child has:

• Trouble breathing (working hard to breathe, ribs pulling in, grunting, or pauses in breathing)

• Blue, gray, or very pale lips or face

• Very hard to wake up, unusually sleepy, or not responding normally

• Confusion, can’t speak in full sentences, or sudden behavior changes

• Signs of dehydration: very dry mouth, no tears when crying, or no pee for 8+ hours

• A fever over 104°F that does not improve at all with fever medicine

• Fever in a baby under 3 months old (100.4°F or higher, rectal)

These are emergency situations and are not appropriate for telehealth.

Flu Symptoms in Children

Flu (influenza) usually comes on suddenly and can make children feel miserable very quickly.

Common flu symptoms can include:

• Sudden high fever (often 101–104°F)

• Headache and body aches

• Chills

• Dry cough and sore throat

• Extreme tiredness and wanting to sleep more than usual

• Sometimes nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea (more common in kids than adults)

Big clue: Your child may seem fine in the morning and then feel very sick by afternoon or evening.

RSV Symptoms in Children

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) often starts out looking like a mild cold, especially in older children. It can be more serious in babies, toddlers, and children with asthma or other lung problems.

Common RSV symptoms:

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Cough that may get worse over several days

• Faster breathing, noisy breathing, or wheezing

• Belly breathing or visible pulling in at the ribs or base of the neck

• Trouble feeding in infants (tiring out while eating, fewer wet diapers)

Big clue: The main concern with RSV is breathing and feeding—especially in younger children.

Strep Throat Symptoms in Children

Strep throat is a bacterial infection and usually needs testing and, if positive, antibiotics.

Common strep throat symptoms:

• Sudden sore throat and pain with swallowing

• Fever (often 101°F or higher)

• Little or no cough

• Red throat, sometimes with white patches or streaks

• Swollen, tender glands in the neck

• Headache, stomachache, nausea, or vomiting in children

Big clue: A bad sore throat + fever + no cough makes strep more likely and worth a call to your pediatrician.

Flu, RSV, and Strep Symptoms and When to Call for Telehealth

Telehealth visits can be a great first step when you’re not sure what to do. Telehealth lets us:

• Look at your child (video visit)

• Ask targeted questions about symptoms

• Help you decide if your child can stay home with care guidance

• Decide if your child needs an in-person visit or testing

At Hall Pediatrics, telehealth visits help stop the spread by keeping sick children at home when possible.

You can usually start with a telehealth or phone visit if:

• Your child has flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches) but is breathing comfortably

• Your child has RSV-like symptoms (cough, runny nose, mild wheezing) and is still drinking and peeing normally

• Your child has a sore throat and fever but can still drink fluids and seems uncomfortable, not devastated

• You want guidance on what to watch for, how to treat symptoms at home, and whether they need testing or an in-person exam

If you are unsure whether flu, RSV, or strep is causing the illness, a telehealth visit is often the easiest way to sort through flu, RSV, and strep symptoms and when to call for telehealth vs in-person care.

When Your Child Needs an In-Person Visit

Sometimes a telehealth visit will lead us to recommend coming into the office. In other cases, you may be able to tell right away that an in-person visit is best.

Call the office to schedule an in-person visit if:

• Fever lasts more than 3 days

• Fever improves and then suddenly returns or worsens

• Your child has ear pain or is pulling at their ears

• Sore throat is severe or they are refusing to swallow

• You suspect strep throat and your child looks pretty miserable

• Your child may need a flu test, strep test, RSV test, or a breathing treatment

• Cough is getting worse instead of better after several days

If you’re not sure whether to book telehealth or in-person, our staff can help you decide when you call.

Home Care and Symptom Relief

For many mild illnesses, home care + a telehealth or phone visit for guidance is enough.

Home care may be appropriate when:

• Runny nose and mild cough are the main symptoms

• Low-grade fever (under 101°F) improves with fever medicine

• Your child is drinking well and having normal wet diapers or bathroom trips

• Your child still has some energy between naps and rest

During a telehealth visit, we can talk through:

• Which symptoms are expected and which are red flags

• How often to check temperatures and what numbers to watch for

• Safe use of over-the-counter medicines based on age and weight

• When to call back or schedule an in-person visit

  
  

How Hall Pediatrics Telehealth Visits Work

At Hall Pediatrics, our goal is to make it easier for Georgia parents to get answers quickly—without always needing to pack up a sick child and come into the office.

A typical telehealth visit looks like this:

1. You call the office to explain your child’s symptoms and schedule a telehealth or phone visit.

2. We confirm whether a telehealth visit is appropriate or if your child needs to be seen in person.

3. You connect by video or phone at your appointment time.

4. The pediatrician reviews symptoms, helps decide if testing or medication is needed, and gives clear home care and follow-up instructions.

5. If needed, we help you schedule an in-person visit for testing or a detailed exam.

Telehealth visits help stop the spread of flu, RSV, and strep by keeping contagious kids at home when it’s safe to do so—while still giving you a pediatrician’s guidance.

The Bottom Line for Georgia Parents

You don’t have to diagnose flu, RSV, or strep on your own at 2:00 AM.

• Use this guide to get familiar with flu, RSV, and strep symptoms and when to call for telehealth.

• Remember the emergency warning signs that mean you should go straight to the ER.

• When in doubt, call Hall Pediatrics. We’ll help you decide whether a telehealth visit, phone call, or in-person appointment is best for your child.
  

Call the office to register for telehealth at 912-369-5437or register online HERE.